Method and system of a network of diffusers including a liquid level sensor

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within an environment, wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer. At least one scent parameter for scenting an environment is received at the remote computer. The remote computer controls diffusion of a liquid from a source of a liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devices to achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following provisionalapplications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety:

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/981,533, filed Apr. 18, 2014; andU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/045,989, filed Sep. 4, 2014.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to networked scent-diffusing devicesand applications thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Of the five traditional senses, scent is strongly linked to memory. Werecall what we see with poor accuracy after one month, while we rememberwhat we smell with good accuracy after one year. This phenomenon isattributed to the intimate connection between the olfactory bulb and thebrain's limbic system, often referred to as the “emotional brain.”

Recognizing that the sense of smell is the most emotive of our fivesenses, it is a valuable element of brand communications andexperiential marketing. Said differently, scent is very effective indelivering complete, multi-sensorial environments, since it is the mosteffective sense for creating lasting impressions.

Leading companies in industry sectors like hospitality, retail, gaming,real estate, health care, and senior living recognize the power of“scent marketing” and are seeking service solutions for their commercialestablishments that are effective, safe, and easy to use. However,precise, consistent and measurable wide area dispersion of fragranceshas been a significant challenge for early service providers in thisemerging market. Their scent solutions provide widely varyingexperiences as the quality of scent impressions deteriorates over timeand in changing environments.

Some current scent dispersion technologies provide stand-alone solutionsthat are managed locally by on-site employees or local subcontractors.Since the fragrance dispersed by these commercial scent devices is setmanually and often changed over time, it is extremely difficult toensure a consistent level of fragrance within brand standards across alllocations. Common scent dispersion problems include undiagnosedmalfunctioning of dispensers, incorrect dispenser settings, and devicetampering, as well as scent “blindness” which occurs when employees whowork within a scented location, become insensitive to a fragrance,leading them to make unwarranted changes to manual settings.

Given the great variability of conditions across local sites, it is verydifficult to accurately predict the replacement dates for scent “refillcartridges” (elements often used to contain scent oils or other sourcesof fragrances in dispensing systems). As a result, there are many venueswith no fragrance dispersion when cartridges run empty, while othervenues experience wasted scent oil, increased expense, and disposalissues when cartridges are replaced prematurely.

Consequently, current scent solutions deployed in multi-site commercialbusinesses make it difficult for corporate brand executives, local sitemanagers, and maintenance personnel to establish and maintain aconsistent “acceptable” or “approved” scent concentration across theirvenues. Their inability to adequately control the olfactory portion ofbrand identity is a constant source of frustration, as site surveysindicate that a significant fraction of venues on any given day are notdelivering the brand's targeted sensory experience.

There remains a need for a scent management system to provide wide areadispersion of a fragrance in accordance with a desired profile offragrance in a manner that is consistent, precise, and controllable viaa remote or a local network.

SUMMARY

Among other things, the present disclosure addresses these local“compliance” and brand management issues by enabling effective,centralized management of remotely deployed scent systems, including,without limitation, using microprocessor-controlled and networkeddiffusion devices that deliver data streams to a centralized networkoperations center (or NOC), which may be staffed by experiencedoperators using enterprise class software. Through this managed service,and with the help of precise local tools and enabling components,commercial businesses can ensure precise, wide-area fragrance deliverythat is consistent with brand standards over time and across locations.A wide range of enabling components and technologies are disclosedherein for such a scent management system.

In one embodiment, there may be an electrical contact that may need tobe made between the package and the device when the package isinstalled. An electrical feature on the package may contact anelectrical feature on the device. If contact is made, the packagecontents may be dispensed. If contact is not made, the package contentsmay not be dispensed and an alert may be sent over the network.

In an aspect, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusion devicemay include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, and an anti-tampering identifier associated with at least oneof the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly, wherein the scentdiffusion from the device is based on a state of the anti-tamperingidentifier. If the scent diffusion device does not recognize theanti-tampering identifier, an alert may be sent over a network, andscent may not be dispensed. If the cartridge is removed from the device,resulting in the device no longer recognizing the anti-tamperingidentifier, an alert is sent over a network. The state of theanti-tampering identifier is changed based on the proximity of thenetworked diffusion device to a specified network zone. In someembodiments, the atomizer head assembly includes an orifice platecontaining a flow restriction orifice for passing compressed gas to bemixed with liquid before passing through an atomizing orifice. Theanti-tampering identifier may be mechanical such as a dip switch, or thelike. The anti-tampering identifier may be electronic, such as an RFID,bar/QSR code, and the like. The anti-tampering identifier may be adeparture from a network zone of the networked scent diffusion device.The anti-tampering identifier may be an error or an unexpected readingof a liquid level sensor of the networked scent diffusion device. Theanti-tampering identifier may be a disconnection of an electricalcontact disposed on at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer headassembly from the networked scent diffusion device. The anti-tamperingidentifier may be an RFID tag associated with at least one of thereservoir and the atomizer head assembly. The atomizer head assembly mayinclude an orifice plate containing a flow restriction orifice forpassing compressed gas to be mixed with liquid before passing through anatomizing orifice. The anti-tampering identifier may be a mechanicalfeature of at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly.The anti-tampering identifier may relate to an electric field of atleast one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly.

In an aspect, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusion device,may include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, wherein the atomizer head assembly includes an orifice platecontaining a flow restriction orifice for passing compressed gas to bemixed with liquid before passing through an atomizing orifice and anRFID tag associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizerhead assembly, wherein when an RFID reader operably connected to thescent diffusion device recognizes the RFID tag, scent is dispensed fromthe cartridge.

In an aspect, a package for use with a scent diffusion device mayinclude a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly,wherein the reservoir is joined to the atomizer head assembly at a topedge of the reservoir and a tube for the transportation of the liquid inthe reservoir, wherein the tube is joined to the atomizer head assemblyon a first end while a second end of the tube extends below the surfaceof the liquid. A gas inlet passage of the atomizer head assembly mayhave one end in fluid communication with a compressed air source and asecond end of the gas inlet passage in fluid communication with anorifice plate comprising a flow restriction orifice. A mixing chamber ofthe atomizer head assembly may be separated from the gas inlet passageby the orifice plate, the mixing chamber having a first wall oppositethe orifice plate comprising an atomizing orifice and a second wallcomprising an opening in fluid communication with the tube. An expansionchamber may be in fluid communication with the atomizing orifice and abaffle chamber, the baffle chamber having an outlet to a surroundingenvironment. A gas flowing into the gas inlet passage through the flowrestriction orifice generates a relatively low pressure region in themixing chamber that causes liquid from the reservoir to be drawn intothe mixing chamber through the tube where it joins the flow path of thegas out of the restrictor orifice creating a mixture of gas and liquidwhich then becomes atomized when it passes through the atomizingorifice. The liquid reservoir may have a substantially cup shapedgeometry. The top edge of the reservoir may be joined to the atomizerhead assembly by one of an ultrasonic weld and/or a twist lock witho-ring seal.

In an aspect, an atomizing diffusion device may include a floatingmagnet disposed within a track inside at least one package with liquidfor the diffusion device, wherein as a liquid level inside the packagechanges, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along thetrack. The device may further include at least one Hall effect sensor orHall effect switch disposed outside the liquid at a position to enablesensing the position of the floating magnet in the track. The device mayalso include a processor, operatively coupled to the Hall effect sensoror Hall effect switch, for generating a signal indicative of the sensedposition of the floating magnet and a control instruction for a switchbased on the signal and a switch, operatively coupled to the processor,that receives the control instruction from the processor, wherein thecontrol instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizingone package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package inthe diffusion device. The switch may be a solenoid switch. The device ofclaim may further include a scheduling facility that receives the signaland predicts when the package will be depleted of liquid or determines apackage replenishment schedule. The device may further include a remotecomputer in communication with the processor for receiving the signaland generating an alert if the signal indicates a need for replacementof a package or when an unexpected signal is obtained. The processor maybe adapted to send a signal indicating the switch to the differentpackage in the diffusion device.

Referring now to FIG. 23, an embodiment of a cartridge with a Halleffect sensor for liquid level sensing is depicted. The upper portion ofthe drawing depicts the diffusion components including orifice assembly2302, cartridge cap assembly 2304, and tubing 2308 to draw up fragranceoil. An ultrasonic weld 2310 attaches the cartridge cap 2304 to thecartridge cup 2314, wherein an O-ring 2312 is disposed between the two.In the cup 2314 there is a magnetic float 2320 that runs along acartridge float guide 2318 as it rises and falls in accordance with aliquid level.

In an embodiment, an atomizing diffusion device may include at least twopackages with liquid in fluid communication with a scent diffusiondevice, wherein the liquid level inside the package is exposed throughat least one of a transparent wall and a transparent window of thepackage. At least one imaging sensor may be disposed outside the packagein the diffusion device to image the liquid level in the package. Aprocessor may be operatively coupled to the imaging sensor to generate asignal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for aswitch based on the signal. The switch may be operatively coupled to theprocessor to receive the control instruction from the processor, whereinthe control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch fromutilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a differentpackage in the diffusion device. The processor may be adapted to send asignal indicating the switch to the different package in the diffusiondevice.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the scent diffusion devices comprise a communications facilitythat enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, receiving at least one scent parameter for scenting anenvironment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve thescent parameter. Controlling may include adjusting an operationalparameter of the scent diffusion device in response to a sensedfragrance level in the environment.

In another aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment mayinclude disposing one or more scent diffusion devices within anenvironment, wherein the scent diffusion devices include acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer. The method may further includedisposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmitssensor data to the remote computer and receiving at least one scentparameter for scenting the environment at the remote computer. Themethod further includes controlling, via the remote computer, diffusionof a liquid from a source of the liquid that is in fluid communicationwith at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve the scentparameter.

In an aspect, a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices within anenvironment may include receiving at a computer, liquid level data froma plurality of remote atomizing diffusion devices wherein each diffusiondevice comprises a communications facility that enables transmittingsignals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and at least oneliquid level sensor, and based on the liquid level data, creating, viathe remote computer, an electronic data structure characterizing thetransformation of the remote diffusion devices, wherein the electronicdata structure includes data specifying at least one of the productionof scent fragrance, the procurement of scent fragrance, the managementof scent inventory, the delivery of scent inventory, and causing theremote atomizing diffusion devices to implement the transformation. Inembodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid but diffusion of a gas.Controlling may include setting or adjusting an operation parameter ofthe scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data. The sensordata may relate to at least one of room volume, room geometry, roomarea, airflow, presence of odor-producing materials, presence ofodor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow, altitude, traffic flow,occupancy detection (e.g. IR, camera, CO₂ sensor), proximity sensing,detected odor, fragrance level, scent concentration factor, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, information about an HVACsystem, information about a building, detection of a VIP/specificindividual entering the space, such as via a smartphone ping, and thelike. The scent diffusion device includes at least one packagecontaining a fragrance oil or at least two packages containing afragrance oil. In embodiment, one of the scent diffusion devices is amaster node and the other of the scent diffusion devices are slave nodesand receive control instructions from the computer through the masternode. In this embodiment, each scent diffusion device can adjust its owncontrol settings based on the activities of the other scent diffusiondevices. The method may include configuring the scent diffusion devicesso that a device duty cycle for one of scent diffusion devices does ordoes not occur simultaneously within proximity to another one of thescent diffusion devices. The scent parameter may relate to a brandmanagement goal. The method may further include determining the totalnumber of scent diffusion devices to dispose in the environment based ona room volume. The method may further include determining one or morelocations to dispose the scent diffusion devices in the environmentbased on a room volume. The operation parameter may include at least oneof a flow rate of the liquid, a duration of flow of the liquid, avariation in the flow rate of the liquid, an on/off status of thediffusion device, a package from which to diffuse the liquid, a switchto a different package from which to diffuse the liquid, and the like.The sensor data may relate to a distance from the scent diffusion deviceto a scent target location. The information about the HVAC system mayinclude at least one of indoor temperature, outside air temperature,thermostat schedule, energy consumption, historical operationparameters, vacant room detection capability, occupied room detectioncapability, vent placement, duct size, fan speed, and maintenancestatus. The information about the building may include at least one of anumber of people entering and exiting the building, planned use of aspace, planned occupancy of a space, elevator use, escalator use, poweruse, lighting use, and plumbing use. The sensor data that relates to thefragrance level may be determined by at least one of measuring aproxy/tag dispersed with the fragrance, measuring an electrostaticcharge, measuring a component of the fragrance, measuring an odorlessmarker diffused with the fragrance, measuring particles, and measuring aconcentration of volatile organic compounds. Causing may include atleast one of scheduling and coordination of resources to accomplish thetransformation. The method may further include measuring a liquid levelinside the plurality of remote atomizing diffusion devices using theliquid level sensor.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from anon-fragrance dispensing, wide-area network gateway device. The methodmay further include networking the network gateway device to the scentdiffusion devices, wherein the network gateway device receivescommunication and control functions from a remote computer fordistribution to the scent diffusion devices. At least one sensordisposed within the environment may transmit sensor data to the remotecomputer. At least one target value of a scent parameter for anenvironment may be received at the remote computer. The method mayfurther include controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of aliquid, from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at leastone of the scent diffusion devices, to achieve the target value of thescent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of one or more of the scent diffusion devices basedon the sensor data. In embodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid butdiffusion of a gas. At least one of the scent diffusion devices receivescontrol instructions from the remote computer and relays controlinstructions to at least one other scent diffusion device. The scentdiffusion devices may relay control instructions in series, in a ring,in a mesh, in a star networking topology, and the like.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a local areanetwork control device and networking the local area network controldevice to each of the scent diffusion devices, wherein the local areanetwork control device receives communications from and distributescontrol instructions to the scent diffusion devices. The method mayfurther include disposing at least one sensor within the environmentthat transmits sensor data to the local area network control device,receiving at least one scent parameter for scenting an environment atthe local area network control device, and controlling, via the localarea network control device, the diffusion of a liquid, from a source ofthe liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the scentdiffusion devices, to achieve the scent parameter, wherein controllingincludes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of one or more ofthe scent diffusion devices in response to the sensor data. Inembodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid but diffusion of a gas. Thelocal area network control device may include one or more of a computeror laptop with wireless local area network communication capability, asmart phone, a pad device or tablet computer with wireless local areanetwork communication capability, a purpose built scent controllerdevice with wireless local area network communication capability, ahandheld device, a wall-mounted device, and the like.

In an aspect, a method of scent casting in an environment may includedisposing a scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein thescent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablestransmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer,determining a distance from the scent diffusion device to a scent targetlocation, receiving, at the remote computer, at least one scentparameter for the scent target location, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, the scent diffusion device to achieve the scent parameter,wherein controlling includes setting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion device based on the determined distance and the scentparameter. The method may further include disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, and adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusiondevice in response to the sensor data. The sensor data may relate to atleast one of room volume, room geometry, room area, airflow, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,air flow, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2sensor), proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrance level, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, and detection of aVIP/specific individual entering the space (via smartphone ping or thelike). The method may further include adjusting an operation parameterof the scent diffusion device in response to an HVAC tonnage.

In an aspect, a method may include sampling the air in an environment todetermine a fragrance level according to an automated sampling program,providing the fragrance level as feedback to a network of scentdiffusion devices, and adjusting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion devices in response to the feedback, wherein adjusting enablesthe continued generation of a consistent scent profile in theenvironment. Determining may involve measuring a proxy/tag dispersedwith the fragrance or an electrostatic charge. Adjusting may be byselection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of available scentmodifiers onboard one or more networked scent diffusion devices. A usermay adjust an overall level of fragrance desired in the space and ascent diffusion device controller may determine the adjustment requiredfor the one or more devices. Adjusting may involve a master diffusionunit of the network of scent diffusion devices adjusting its own outputlevel and the output level of its slaves upward or downward,proportionately based on the adjusted operation parameter. The samplingmay indicate the presence of a malodor and the operation parameter maybe adjusted to provide a scent neutralization. Sampling may indicate thepresence of a malodor and the operation parameter is adjusted toterminate diffusion of the scent.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, taking information about an HVAC system in the environment tothe remote computer, taking at least one scent parameter for scenting anenvironment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve thescent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of the scent diffusion device based on theinformation about the HVAC system. The information may be a tonnage ofthe HVAC system. Taking information about an HVAC system may be done viamanual entry, as a feed or data dump from an building automation system,as a feed or data dump from the HVAC system, as a feed or data dump froma local processor, from sensors such as a flow sensor, and the like.Other information about the HVAC system that may be used in managingscent in an environment include indoor temperature, outside airtemperature, thermostat schedule, energy consumption, historicaloperation parameters, vacant room detection capability, occupied roomdetection capability, vent placement, duct size, fan speed, flow, andmaintenance status.

In an aspect, a method for managing scent in an environment may includedisposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within the environment,wherein the scent diffusion devices comprise a communications facilitythat enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, monitoring the environment for an indicator that a service isbeing delivered, and when the indicator is received, controlling, viathe remote computer, at least one of the plurality of scent diffusiondevices to emit a scent that is intended to be a companion to theservice.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment,wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, monitoring an environment via the at least one sensor for anindicator that a service is being delivered, and when the indicator isreceived, as determined by the sensor data, controlling, via the remotecomputer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluidcommunication with the at least one scent diffusion device to emit ascent that is intended to be a companion to the service, whereincontrolling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of theat least one scent diffusion device. In embodiments, it is not diffusionof a liquid but diffusion of a gas.

In an aspect, a method of implementing a computer-implemented automatedscent environment design and modeling system may include definingobjects that represent a component of an environment being modeled,wherein at least one parameter of at least one of the objects impactsthe diffusion of scent within the environment, assembling an environmentmodel utilizing the objects, inputting data to the environment modelrelated to one or more sensors in the environment, using at least onedata structure representing at least one parameter of a scent diffusiondevice, and displaying information about diffusion of scent in theenvironment based on the environment model, the defined objects, and atleast one parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device.Determining a placement of one or more scent diffusion devices in theenvironment may be based on the one or more scent impression goals, theenvironment model and the data. The objects may be represented in athree-dimensional relationship. The method may further include allowinga user to define one or more scent impression goals for the environment.The method may further include recommending a placement of one or morescent diffusion devices in the environment based on the one or morescent impression goals and the environment model. The method may furtherinclude inputting data to the environment model related to one or moresensors in the environment. The information may be displayed in agraphical user interface that shows the physical dimensions of theenvironment and the objects in the environment. The display may be a 3Ddisplay. The display may be a 3D overhead view of the environment. Theobject may be at least one of a window, a skylight, a wall, a floor, adoor, a ceiling, a fireplace, furniture, plants, an HVAC system and itselements, fans, hoods, vents, ducts, conduits, a fragrance-free zone, afragrance zone, a consumer pathway, and the like. The data may relate toat least one of room volume, room geometry, airflow, HVAC systems,presence of odor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors,lighting, temperature, humidity, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy, timeof day, and the like. The objects may be customized based upon theinputted scent impression goal. For example, furniture or plants may beremoved if they are found to interfere with a scent plume. Assemblingthe environment model may include using a drag-and-drop interface toplace the objects in the three-dimensional relationship. The scentimpression goal may include planning for fragrance zones andfragrance-free zones. The environment model may colorimetrically depictscent plumes/zones and airflow/diffusion areas. The environment modelmay depict consumer pathways (optionally with timing) to ensure multipleexposures with a fragrance-free zone in between. The method may furtherinclude suggesting a profile of fragrances that would be effective inthe environment given data relating to a scent neutralizing profile ofthe environment. An effective fragrance may be identified based on oneor more of a particle size and a scent concentration factor.

In an aspect, a user interface produced by computing equipment executingprogram code stored in a non-transitory storage medium may be aninterface for a scent design and modeling system. The user interface mayinclude a drag-and-drop interface to place objects that represent acomponent of an environment being modeled in a relationship to oneanother to form an environment model, wherein at least one parameter ofat least one of the objects impacts the diffusion of scent within theenvironment, and a processor that models the scent-impacting parametersof the objects in the environment model and determines at least one of aplacement in the environment for and a scent-diffusing parameter of oneor more scent diffusion devices. The environment model further includesone or more scent impression goals. The processor further models thescent impression goals for the environment model to determine at leastone of a placement in the environment for and a scent-diffusingparameter of one or more scent diffusion devices. The environment modelfurther includes data related to one or more sensors in the environment.The environment model may be displayed in a graphical user interfacethat shows the physical dimensions of the environment and the objects inthe environment. The display may be a 3D display. The display may be a3D overhead view of the environment. The drag and drop interface enablesdragging and dropping scent zones based on an HVAC/building blueprint tooptimize scent vectors/scent device settings. The object may be at leastone of a window, a skylight, a wall, a floor, a door, a ceiling, afireplace, furniture, plants, an HVAC system and its elements, fans,hoods, vents, ducts, conduits, a fragrance-free zone, a fragrance zone,a consumer pathway, and the like. The data may relate to at least one ofroom volume, room geometry, airflow, HVAC systems, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,temperature, humidity, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy, time of day,and the like. The objects can be customized based upon the inputtedscent impression goal. The relationship may be a three-dimensionalrelationship. The object may be a source of a malodor.

In an aspect, a method may include calculating a metric for a brandimpression, wherein the brand impression metric is based on exposure toa scent delivered by one or more managed, networked scent diffusiondevices. The metric may be based on at least one of number of exposures,duration of exposures, and location of exposures. Determining mayinclude performing matched panel testing, A/B testing, or controlledtesting of a population exposed to the scent. Determining may includeobtaining feedback from a population exposed to the scent. The feedbackmay be through a survey delivered from the networked scent diffusiondevice.

In an aspect, a method may include determining sales lift by comparingthe purchase behavior of a group of participants exposed to a scent in aretail environment with a group of participants in a comparable retailenvironment who were not exposed to the scent, wherein the scentexposure is due to one or more networked scent diffuser devices in theretail environment under the control of a remote computer.

In an embodiment, a networked scent diffuser device may serve as acommercial gateway for a consumer environment utilizing one or moreintegrated sensors to gather information from the consumer environment.The networked scent diffusion device may include a communicationsfacility that receives control signals from a network operations center,the control signals for controlling a scent diffusion from the scentdiffusion device in accordance with a scent impression goal and one ormore integrated sensors to gather information from a consumerenvironment in which the scent diffusion device is deployed. The sensormay be a traffic/occupancy sensor.

The networked scent diffusion device may include a first communicationsfacility that receives control signals from a network operations center,the control signals for controlling a scent diffusion from the scentdiffusion device in accordance with a scent impression goal, and asecond communications facility to communicate data with a mobile devicein the consumer environment. The communication may relate to a scentbeing diffused by the device. The commercial gateway allows a consumerin the consumer environment to control the scent diffuser device. Thedevice may be controlled by a user in the consumer environment throughone of the first or second communications facility. The communicationmay be an offer.

In an aspect, a method may include receiving at a computer at least onetarget value of a scent parameter for an environment 1602, receiving atthe computer a sensed parameter of the environment 1604, andcontrolling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source ofthe liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusiondevice to achieve the target value of the scent parameter 1608, whereincontrolling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of theat least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.One of the at least one scent diffusion devices may be a master node andthe other scent diffusion devices are slave nodes and receive controlinstructions from the remote computer through the master node. At leastone of the scent diffusion devices may receive control instructions fromthe remote computer and relays control instructions to at least oneother scent diffusion device. The scent parameter may relate to a brandmanagement goal. The operation parameter may include at least one of aflow rate of the liquid, a duration of flow of the liquid, a variationin the flow rate of the liquid, an on/off status of the diffusiondevice, a package from which to diffuse the liquid, and a switch to adifferent package from which to diffuse the liquid.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includetaking an electronic data structure characterizing the transformation ofat least one diffusion device disposed within an environment, whereinthe electronic data structure includes data regarding a sensed parameterof the environment 1702, accessing at the remote computer, a targetvalue of a scent parameter 1704, and providing a service plan for the atleast one diffusion device based on the electronic data structure andthe target value of the scent parameter 1708. The sensed parameter mayrelate to at least one of room volume, room geometry, room area,airflow, presence of odor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinkingfactors, lighting, air flow, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection(IR, camera, CO2 sensor), proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrancelevel, temperature, humidity, time of day, season, weather event,information about an HVAC system, information about a building, anddetection of a VIP/specific individual entering the space (viasmartphone ping). Servicing may include configuring the at least onescent diffusion device so that a device duty cycle does or does notoccur simultaneously within proximity to another scent diffusion device.The scent parameter may relate to a brand management goal. The operationparameter may include at least one of a flow rate of the liquid, aduration of flow of the liquid, a variation in the flow rate of theliquid, an on/off status of the diffusion device, a package from whichto diffuse the liquid, and a switch to a different package from which todiffuse the liquid.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmitssensor data to the remote computer 1802, and disposing at least onescent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least onescent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablesreceiving a signal from a remote computer, wherein the signal is asetting or an adjusting of an operation parameter of the at least onescent diffusion device in response to the sensor data to achieve atarget value of a scent parameter 1804. The method may further includedetermining the total number of scent diffusion devices to dispose inthe environment based on a room volume or determining one or morelocations to dispose the scent diffusion devices in the environmentbased on a room volume. The method may further include configuring theat least one scent diffusion device so that a device duty cycle does ordoes not occur simultaneously within proximity to another scentdiffusion device. The sensed parameter may relate to a distance from thescent diffusion device to a scent target location.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includecreating, via a remote computer, an electronic data structurecharacterizing the transformation of at least one remote diffusiondevice 1902, wherein the electronic data structure includes dataregarding a sensed parameter of an environment and at least one targetvalue of a scent parameter for the environment, and initiating control,via the remote computer, of diffusion of a liquid from a source of theliquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusiondevice in accordance with the electronic data structure to achieve thetarget value of the scent parameter in response to the sensed parameter1904. The sensed parameter data may relate to at least one of roomvolume, room geometry, room area, airflow, presence of odor-producingmaterials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow,altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2 sensor),proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrance level, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, information about an HVACsystem, information about a building, and detection of a VIP/specificindividual entering the space (via smartphone ping). The scent diffusiondevice may include at least two packages containing fragrance oil. Thescent parameter may relate to a brand management goal. The sensedparameter that relates to fragrance level may be determined by at leastone of measuring a proxy/tag dispersed with the fragrance, measuring anelectrostatic charge, measuring a component of the fragrance, measuringan odorless marker diffused with the fragrance, measuring particles, andmeasuring a concentration of volatile organic compounds.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entiretyby reference. References to items in the singular should be understoodto include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intendedto express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations ofconjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwisestated or clear from the context.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary architecture for a scent management system.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of network operations software interfacingwith enterprise applications and consumer applications.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of enterprise architecture.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a package for a diffusion device.

FIG. 5 depicts a representative installation of diffusion devices.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a NOC system view.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a location overview.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of diffuser data.

FIG. 9 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a block diagram of a diffusion system.

FIG. 11 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 12 depicts security features of a package.

FIG. 13 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 14 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 15 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 16 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 17 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 18 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 19 depicts a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices.

FIG. 20 depicts a method relating to tampering of atomizing diffusiondevices.

FIG. 21 depicts a method relating to tampering of atomizing diffusiondevices.

FIG. 22 depicts a diffusion device showing a pump assembly and solenoidvalves.

FIG. 23 depicts an embodiment of a cartridge.

FIGS. 24 A-D depict embodiments of a diffusion device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an aspect, the scent management system provides businesses with amanaged service for precise, wide-area fragrance delivery directed atusing scent to deliver memorable brand impressions and exceptionalcustomer experiences. By building intelligence into equipment deployedon customers' premises, and by managing the equipment using a globalnetwork and a centralized set of software applications, the scentmanagement system provides unprecedented quality and control of aremotely managed scent service for customers and ensures that scentmanagement services are efficacious, reliable and consistent. Such ascent management system is capable of ensuring a defined level ofquality based on intelligence built into the system, from the diffuserdevice to the centrally managed network operations center (NOC), whichmonitors device performance across all customers and across all devicesfor each customer. The scent management system is capable of deliveringidentical scent impressions across all locations, if so desired, throughmeasured fragrance output and in-space metering for preciseconcentration. The scent management system provides a managed scentservice that delivers a consistent brand impression through the precise,dynamic control of a network of scent diffusion devices in either aremote or a local fashion. Features of the scent management system, suchas two-way communication with networked scent diffusion devices toreceive data from the devices and to control the devices remotely,coupled with features of the devices, including sensors and/orprogramming to switch between installed packages of fragrance, enablesthe scent management system to be deployed as part of multiple serviceofferings, including self-service and full-service models of operation.In a self-service model, users may select settings for the devices andreceive indications regarding replenishment, such as through a customerapplication. In a full-service model, settings may be selected andmodified by the NOC not just for one location but across as manylocations as required to conform to brand management goals,replenishment alerts may go to the NOC which is then responsible formanaging the replenishment, and the like. Communication with the NOCallows users the confidence that the devices in a space are operating asdesired without having to be hands-on with the devices or with a controlapplication for the device. Of course, the flexibility of the scentmanagement system enables users (such as non-NOC staff) to utilizecontrol applications to monitor and control the scent diffusion devicesas desired. The system enables intelligent, deterministic delegation ofroles, authorities, and permissions across the network of diffusers topreserve brand integrity. Users can control roles, authorities, andpermissions across a hierarchical organization (e.g. parentcompany/corporate, franchise, location) to enable diffusion devicecontrol on a local level, such as on a location basis, or at a corporatelevel, and the like.

The scent management system may be useful not just for scent brandingand delivering consistent scent impressions, but also for odormitigation, odor neutralization, product advertising,aromatherapy/stress reduction, and the like. Other functional benefitswill be described herein.

The scent management system may include one or more diffusion devices.Each diffusion device may contain a processor, such as amicrocontroller, capable of reporting information (telemetry data) aboutdiffuser status via the Internet to one or more Cloud-based businessapplications. The microcontroller may be capable of controlling theunits autonomously, based on control instructions sent by the businessapplications. The business applications store historical data about thediffusion devices, which enables reporting on this data and mining ofthe data in order to improve scent management services. A NOC may beutilized to monitor the health of the end-user diffusion devices, andmay react to alerts by adjusting the settings of the diffusion devices,or by creating a work order (e.g. to roll a truck, e-mail an on-sitecontact, etc.) in order to address a service issue or replenishmentissue. Alternatively, devices may be self-serve, non-NOC managed. Inembodiments, the networked diffusion devices form part of an Internet ofThings.

In an embodiment, the scent management system may include: a diffusiondevice with built-in intelligence enabled by a built-in microcontrollermodule, plus communication abilities enabled by wireless local and widearea network communication modules; and diffusion device networkconfigurations that support the intelligent management of fragrancedispersion, either locally within a fragranced environment, or remotelyby one or more centralized or distributed network operations center(s)(NOCs) staffed by scent system administrators. The scent managementsystem includes business processes enabled by the diffusion devices,deployed within defined scent dispersion network configurations.Throughout this specification, the terms “scent device”, “scentdispersion device”, “diffuser device”, “diffuser”, “scent diffusiondevice”, or “scent diffuser device” may be used interchangeably witheach other and with the term “diffusion device”, except where contextindicates otherwise. It should be understood that the use of scentedliquids in the diffusion device is exemplary of one of the kinds ofliquids that may be used in the scent management system. Indeed, scentneutralization liquids, disinfectant, cleansing or other liquids mayalso be used in the diffusion devices. Throughout this specification,the terms “cartridge”, “package”, and “reservoir” are usedinterchangeably with each other, except where context indicatesotherwise. Various aspects of the scent management system are describedherein. Further, it should be understood that the devices may work todispense any liquid, such as in a gas or vapor colloidal mixture. FIG. 1depicts an exemplary architecture 100 for a scent management system. Inthis embodiment, a master diffusion device 102 is in communication withone or more slave diffusion devices 104 and a server 108, such as acloud server running cloud-based business applications. In thisembodiment, the device 102 communicates with the server 108 to receivecontrol instructions, systems updates, and the like from and to transmittelemetry data and the like to a NOC 118. Communication may be through acellular connection. The devices 102, 104 may be in communication withenvironmental, or have onboard, sensors 110. NOC user devices 114 maycommunicate through the server 108 with the devices 102, 104. A customercontrol device 120 may be used to control the devices 102, 104 throughthe server 108. An advertiser network user interface 112 may be incommunication with the server 108.

In an embodiment, the scent diffusion device may include acartridge-based removable repository for fragrance oil or other liquidto be diffused, and a diffuser that atomizes the fragrance oil intoparticles to deliver targeted and controllable concentration levels ofthe fragrance oil or liquid. The particles may be variously sized, suchas micro-droplets, or large or small aerosol particles. In embodiments,the diffuser results in minimal fallout of particles. The diffuserincludes at least one of a micro-droplet generator, an atomizer, anebulizer, a vaporizer, an evaporative wick, a saturated solid, and thelike.

In an embodiment, the scent diffusion device may include a solid scentmedium cartridge that heat energy, such as from a coil, light bulb,candle, heated blower, convective heat source, or the like, to heat thescent medium in the cartridge, while a fan blows through the medium todistribute fragrance. Controlling the fragrance diffusion remotely mayinvolve controlling at least one of the fan or the heat source.

In embodiments, such as where a scent diffusion device may include awick or other fixed or solid medium, diffusion rate/efficiency orwicking rate/efficiency may be adjusted over time or periodically, suchas by adjusting an aspect or parameter of the operation of a fan. Forexample, the amount of liquid available for diffusion may decrease overtime as the device operates. In some embodiments, the amount of liquidin the device may decrease at a predictable rate, such as at anexponential rate that can be predicted based on a model, such as aphysical or chemical model. As the amount of available liquid decreasesin the device, it may become more difficult to induce diffusion of theremaining liquid from the device. This may be due in part to changes inan aspect or parameter of a fixed medium that is used to aid diffusionover time. For example, a wick may dry up, a solid fragrance cake maydehydrate, or the like. By controlling a parameter of a device that isused to promote diffusion, such as the speed of a fan, adjustments maybe made to address changes in diffusion characteristics. For example,the fan speed in the diffusion device throughout its operation may beadjusted such that it runs slower when a new cartridge of liquid orother fixed medium is placed in the device, and as a result, the wick orother fixed medium may dry out more slowly. Then, as the device operatesand the characteristics of the wick or other solid medium change, thefan may be sped up to obtain a relatively consistent level of diffusionof the liquid from the cartridge or other fixed medium. In someembodiments, the operation of the fan may approximate an elliptoidcurve, an exponential curve, or other function suitable to obtain acontinuous level of diffusion of the liquid. In embodiments, such aswhere the liquid is a fragrance oil, controlling the fan to obtain acontinuous level of diffusion of the fragrance oil may result in asubstantially stable intensity of fragrance over time.

In an embodiment, a piezoelectric device may be used in the scentdiffusion device to cause a vibration in the package, such as viaultrasonic surface wave effects, or through the use of microscopicallyperforated vibrating mesh (VMT). Such vibration may cause an oscillatingmotion and pressure in the liquid within the package and effectatomization of the liquid. The piezoelectric device may be remotelymanaged to control fragrance levels.

Other devices may be used in the system for scent diffusion, such asthose including atomizers with hydraulic spray nozzles, liquid-liquidimpinging atomizers, air-liquid impinging atomizers, airblast atomizers,prefilming atomizers, high voltage electrospray, and the like.

The diffusion device may further include a pump, to enable the venturieffect or otherwise draw the liquid from within the package to enablediffusion, with a controllable duty cycle. The diffusion device mayinclude a fan that aids in distributing the particles. The fan may below noise, such as by use of a low-noise fan or noise cancellingtechnology. The diffusion device enables uniform dispersion of vaporizedfragrance oil throughout an environment using dispersion technologiesthat require minimal heat. Such technologies allow fragrance integrityto be sustained over time.

In some embodiments, the pump may be a conventional air pump or a speedcontrol air pump. With a conventional air pump, the amount of scentoutput may be controlled using a duty cycle, such as, for example, aduty cycle of “on” for 2 minutes and “off” for 4 minutes to provide a33% duty cycle. Given the ability to remotely control pump operation innetworked scent diffusion devices, the voltage driving the pump may beincreased or decreased remotely, such as in a range of roughly +/−20%from a 10V standard, or from 8 V to 12 V. Controlling the voltagedriving the pump enables remote control of the diffusion rate of thedevice, independent of the voltage range and independent of duty cycle.At a given duty cycle, output can be attenuated or augmented by simplyaltering the voltage for the pump. For example, for multiple diffusersdeployed in an environment, assuming that all of the diffusers are setwith the same duty cycle, the voltage driving diffusers deployed insmaller spaces of the environment may be lowered to attenuate outputwhile the voltage driving diffusers deployed in larger spaces of theenvironment may be raised to augment output. In this example, a dutycycle including an “on” portion of 1 minute at a low speed setting mightput out X micrograms per hour, while the same duty cycle portion of “on”for 1 minute at a high speed setting may put out 3× micrograms per hour.Voltage control of the pump enables volumetric control of the devicerunning on a continuous or nearly continuous basis.

Referring now to FIG. 22, an embodiment of a diffusion device isdepicted. In this view, the housing 2202 contains a pump assembly 2204that pumps liquid up out of the reservoir(s) through tubes attached tothe pump and assembled into fittings 2212. One or more valves, such assolenoid valves 2208, 2210, are placed in line in the tubes to turnpumping on and off.

The diffusion device may include a programmable microcontroller modulewith a memory (fixed or removable) for controlling device functionality,such as control of volume, duty cycle, schedule settings, and the like.The diffusion device may include a wireless local area network modulecapable of communicating with other devices within a physical locationvia radio frequency communications including IEEE standards (such as,WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, etc.) Communications protocols that may be usedby the diffusion device include one or more of Zigbee, MiFi, MiWi, DMX,ANT, Z-Wave, Insteon, JenNet-IP, X10, mesh network, visible light,ultrasound, infrared light, IP version 6 (IPv6), such as IPv6 over LowPower Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN), and the NeighborhoodExchange Protocol. The diffusion devices may form a machine-to-machinenetwork. The diffusion device may include a removable wireless wide areanetwork (WWAN) module capable of electronic communications with one ormore remote Network Operations Center(s) via, for example, atelecommunication cellular network. References to a “Network OperationsCenter” or “NOC” throughout this disclosure should be understood toencompass a single, centralized center, or a set of multiple distributedcenters. In embodiments, the diffusion device may include communicationstechnology for wired installations. Telemetry data, such asfragrance-level replenishment alert, may be delivered over thecommunications network. Device firmware may be upgradable via thenetwork.

In an embodiment, on the motherboard of the device, connectors may beadapted to configure the communications module readily or to render thecommunications module modular, such that it may be swapped in and outreadily. For example, the device may be manufactured such that at adistributor, retailer, customer, or other downstream site, acommunications module may be installed or swapped. For example, thedevice may be shipped from the manufacturer to the distributor with acellular communications module installed, but upon receipt, a need forWiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled devices may emerge. The distributor may beable to open the devices and swap out the cellular communications modulefor the WiFi-enabled and/or Bluetooth-enabled module. In some examples,the devices may be able to accommodate a plurality of communicationsprotocols such that in this example, the distributor need only to add inthe WiFi and Bluetooth modules to the existing cellular module. In otherembodiments, the communications module may be embodied with firmware,such that capabilities may be modified by a firmware update, such asdelivered over a cellular network via a cellular networkingcommunications protocol, over the Internet or other IP-based network, orthe like. In embodiments the communications module may be embodied in ormay use a field programmable gate array (FPGA), such that it may bere-programmed in the field to meet changing requirements.

The diffusion device may feature “plug and play” ease of installation,with AC or DC power, auto-configuration and NOC “check-in.” Overall, thediffusion device may be light in weight, so the device can hang from atrack fixture or wall, such as 5 lbs. per device.

The diffusion device may include a manual programming interface (e.g.user interface, screen, button, dial, slider, touch pad, keyboard, orthe like) that allows an individual to manually establish and confirmdevice settings. In embodiments, the diffusion device includes a signalthat alerts a user of a device state. The state may relate to a sensedliquid level. The signal may be at least one of a light 1028, a colorindicator, a message on a text screen, a sound, and the like.

In an embodiment, a scent diffusion device may include a processor thatmonitors the scent diffusion device and generates a status, and a userinterface that provides an alert based on the status, wherein the alerttriggers an event. The status may be a clog and the event may be thescheduling of maintenance. The status may be a need for replenishmentand the event may be at least one of the scheduling of replenishment andordering of additional scent. The status may be a tampering and theevent may be turning off the device. The status may be at least one of aclog, a need for replenishment, a tampering, an overheating, a loss ofpower, an operation error, and a damage. The alert may be at least oneof a light 1028, a color indicator, a message, a pop-up, a sound, ane-mail, a text message, and an SMS/MMS.

In an embodiment, one form of the device may operate as a point-of-usescent disperser, installed within targeted fragrance areas. In anembodiment, another form of the diffusion device may be integrated intothe heating/ventilation/air conditioning system of a venue, withfragrance dispersion occurring through the HVAC ductwork or otherventilation system.

In an embodiment, the diffusion device may be embodied in the formfactor of a flameless LED candle.

In an embodiment, the diffusion device may include a tamper-proofclosure. The tamper-proof closure may be at least one of a physical key,a software-based key, a biometric key, a retinal scanner, and the like.Physical features of the package may also make it difficult to betampered with, such as by including at least one of a sonic-welding, aspin welding, a bayonet lock, and the like. On-board sensors may alsowork as an anti-tampering mechanism if contact with the sensors are lostwhile power is still sensed or utilized by the device.

The package for the diffusion device may include physical features foranti-tampering that prevent the package from operating properly in adevice not configured to accept the package. For example, the packagemay include an RFID tag 1208 for identification and the RFID tag must beread correctly or the diffusion device will not function. Reading theRFID tag may be done on-board the device by an integrated RFID reader ormay be done with a separate RFID reader, such as upon installation ofthe package or during a routine inspection. In another example, thepackage may include another identification tag, such as a bar code 1204or QR code 1202, which may be imaged by on-board imaging or a separateimager. The images may be transmitted to the NOC for analysis andapproval or storage. In one embodiment, there may be an electricalcontact that may need to be made between the package and the device whenthe package is installed. An electrical feature (not shown) on thepackage may contact an electrical feature (not shown) on the device, ormating mechanical features (not shown) may be disposed on the packageand device. If contact is made, the package contents may be dispensed.If contact is not made, the package contents may not be dispensed and analert may be sent over the network.

An alert may be sent over a network if the package is removed, such asif the package is removed early (e.g. a liquid level sensor indicatessufficient liquid remaining), removed in spite of general instructions(e.g. removed without a work order, removed by a non-technician), andthe like.

In an aspect, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusion devicemay include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, wherein the atomizer head assembly includes an orifice platecontaining a flow restriction orifice for passing compressed gas to bemixed with liquid before passing through an atomizing orifice, and ananti-tampering identifier associated with at least one of the reservoirand the atomizer head assembly, wherein the scent diffusion from thedevice is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier. Whenthe scent diffusion device does not recognize the anti-tamperingidentifier, an alert may be sent over a network, and scent may not bedispensed. If the cartridge is removed from the device based on thedevice no longer recognizing the anti-tampering identifier, an alert issent over a network.

In an aspect, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusion device,may include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, wherein the atomizer head assembly includes an orifice platecontaining a flow restriction orifice for passing compressed gas to bemixed with liquid before passing through an atomizing orifice and anRFID tag associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizerhead assembly, wherein when an RFID reader operably connected to thescent diffusion device recognizes the RFID tag, scent is dispensed fromthe cartridge.

In an embodiment, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusiondevice may include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, and an anti-tampering identifier associated with at least oneof the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly, wherein the scentdiffusion from the device is based on the condition of theanti-tampering identifier. When the scent diffusion device does notrecognize the anti-tampering identifier, an alert may be sent over anetwork and scent may not be dispensed. If the cartridge is removed fromthe device based on the device no longer recognizing the anti-tamperingidentifier, an alert may be sent over a network.

In an embodiment, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusiondevice may include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly, and an RFID tag associated with at least one of the reservoirand the atomizer head assembly, wherein when an RFID reader operablyconnected to the scent diffusion device recognizes the RFID tag, scentis dispensed from the cartridge. When the scent diffusion device doesnot recognize the anti-tampering identifier, an alert may be sent over anetwork and the scent may not be dispensed. If the cartridge is removedfrom the device based on the device no longer recognizing theanti-tampering identifier, an alert may be sent over a network. Theatomizer head assembly may include an orifice plate containing a flowrestriction orifice for passing compressed gas to be mixed with liquidbefore passing through an atomizing orifice.

In an embodiment, a scent cartridge for a networked scent diffusiondevice may include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer headassembly and an electrical contact disposed on at least one of thereservoir and the atomizer head assembly, wherein when the electricalcontact of the scent cartridge makes contact with a correspondingelectrical contact of the scent diffusion device, scent is dispensedfrom the cartridge. When the scent diffusion device does not recognizethe anti-tampering identifier, an alert may be sent over a network andthe scent may not be dispensed. If the cartridge is removed from thedevice based on the device no longer recognizing the anti-tamperingidentifier, an alert may be sent over a network. The atomizer headassembly may include an orifice plate containing a flow restrictionorifice for passing compressed gas to be mixed with liquid beforepassing through an atomizing orifice.

In an embodiment, a method for securing networked scent diffusiondevices may include associating an anti-tampering identifier with areservoir and an atomizer head assembly of a networked scent diffusiondevice 2102, determining if the anti-tampering identifier is present onthe reservoir or atomizer head assembly 2104, blocking diffusion if theanti-tampering identifier is absent, and communicating the absence ofthe anti-tampering identifier to other networked scent diffusion devices2108. In an embodiment, the method for securing networked scentdiffusion devices may include associating an anti-tampering identifierwith a reservoir of a networked scent diffusion device, determining ifthe anti-tampering identifier is present on the reservoir, blockingdiffusion if the anti-tampering identifier is absent, and communicatingthe absence of the anti-tampering identifier to other networked scentdiffusion devices.

In an embodiment, a diffusion device for atomizing liquids may includeat least two reservoirs that hold a liquid, a liquid level sensordisposed in the device, an anti-tampering identifier associated with atleast one of the reservoirs and a switch, and a processor, operativelycoupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a first signalindicative of the liquid level, a second signal indicative of thepresence of the anti-tampering identifier, and a control instruction forthe switch based on the first and second signals to cause the device toswitch from utilizing one reservoir in the atomizing diffusion device toutilizing a different reservoir in the atomizing diffusion device.

In an embodiment, a method for operating networked scent diffusiondevices in an environment to achieve a scent impression goal may includereceiving an indication at a networked scent diffusion device thatdiffusion from one or more other networked scent diffusion devices isblocked due to a tampering indication 2002, accessing an environmentmodel for the environment, wherein the model includes one or morenetworked scent diffusion devices 2004, and programming a scentdiffusion profile for the environment to be executed by one or more ofthe remaining non-blocked networked scent diffusion devices to achievethe scent impression goal 2008. In certain embodiments, the modelincludes two or more networked scent diffusion devices.

In an embodiment, an atomizing diffusion device may include at least twopackages with liquid disposed in the diffusion device, an anti-tamperingidentifier associated with at least one of the packages, and aprocessor, operatively coupled to the scent diffusion device, thatdetermines a tampering indication based on the anti-tampering identifierand causes a switch between the packages based on the tamperingindication.

In an embodiment, the diffusion device may include a chemical sensor influid communication with the package for detecting the presence of aspecific component in a liquid, such as one disposed within the package.The specific component may be a tracer or tag molecule placed in thepackage, so that when the tag or tracer is detected, the package isauthenticated. Conversely, if the tag or tracer is absent, the packagemay be identified as potentially fraudulent. In embodiments the chemicalsensor may be disposed outside the package, but may be in fluidcommunication with the contents of the package in order to sample theliquid of the package to determine the presence or absence of thespecific tag or tracer component. If the chemical sensor detects thespecific component, and thus authenticates the package, the device mayproceed to operate to diffuse the liquid as described herein. If thespecific component is not detected, various actions may be taken. Forexample, a visual or audible signal may be generated, such as a flashinglight (e.g., an LED) or a beeping sound, or any other visual, auditory,tactile, or other sensor cue that would alert a user or observer of apotential problem, such as cues of various types known to those ofordinary skill in the art. Such a signal may indicate the absence of thespecific component, which may be due to tampering, an incorrect package,a depleted package, an error, or the like. In other embodiments, thesignal take the form of a message, alert, or communication that istransmitted over a network, such as to a central location, anindividual, a manager, a computer, a mobile device, and the like. Incertain embodiments, the chemical sensor may sample the air for thespecific component, and when the component is not present in the air,the sensor may send an instruction over the network to the diffusiondevice to cease operation.

In embodiments, the package may be embodied in a cartridge, a reservoir,a bag, a balloon, a membrane, and the like. Referring to FIG. 4, acartridge for a scent management system includes a liquid reservoir 404and an atomizer head assembly 402, wherein the liquid reservoir ispositioned below the atomizer head. The liquid reservoir has asubstantially cup shaped geometry, and its top edge is joined to theatomizer head assembly, such as by an ultrasonic weld, a twist lock witho-ring seal, or the like. A conduit or tube 408 for the transportationof the liquid in the reservoir is joined to the atomizer head on itsfirst end, and the second end of the tube extends into the liquid 410within the reservoir, preferably extending sufficiently below thesurface of the liquid to maximize the total volume of liquid drawn fromwithin the reservoir as the liquid within the cartridge is depleted.There may be some condensation, but mostly the excess liquid stays instate and drops back into the reservoir.

The atomizer head may have a gas (e.g. air) inlet passage 412 having oneend in fluid communication with a compressed air source. The second endof the gas inlet passage may be in fluid communication with an orificeplate 418 containing a flow restriction orifice 420. In certainembodiments, a venturi may be used in place of an orifice plate. Theorifice plate separates the gas inlet passage from a mixing chamber 422.The mixing chamber may have a wall opposite the orifice plate, theopposing wall having an atomizing orifice 422. Another wall of themixing chamber may have an opening 424 in fluid communication with thetube. The atomizing orifice may be in fluid communication with anexpansion chamber 428. The expansion chamber may be in fluidcommunication with a baffle chamber 430. The baffle chamber may have anoutlet 432 to the surrounding environment to be treated with theatomized liquid.

The operation of the atomizer head may be as follows: Compressed gasflows into the gas inlet passage, through the orifice plate's flowrestriction orifice, and into the mixing chamber. This creates arelatively high-pressure region on the gas inlet passage side of therestrictor orifice, and the gas flow velocity out from the restrictororifice increases and generates a relatively low pressure region on themixing chamber end of the restrictor orifice. The relative low pressuredraws liquid from the reservoir into the mixing chamber through thetube, and the liquid joins the flow path of the gas out of therestrictor orifice creating a mixture of gas and liquid. The gas liquidmixture then passes through the atomizing orifice into the expansionchamber, creating an atomized mixture of liquid and gas. The atomizedmixture of liquid and gas flows into the baffle chamber, and theatomized liquid and gas flows through the outlet into the surroundingenvironment to be treated.

As the atomized mixture of liquid and gas flow though the expansionchamber and baffle chamber, it impinges on the surfaces of the chambersand walls separating the chambers. This results in the removal of asubstantial portion of the larger particles of atomized liquid from theatomized liquid and gas mixture. The larger particles condense back intoliquid and drain back into the reservoir through a weep hole in thepartition between the expansion chamber and the reservoir. Also, anyliquid not completely atomized after the gas and liquid pass through theatomizing orifice drains back into the reservoir through the weep hole.The baffle chamber also acts as a sound level suppressor, muffling thesound of the gas and atomized liquid flow through the atomizer headassembly. The cartridge is inserted into a diffusion device, with thecompressed gas inlet passage coupling with an air fitting 414 to providethe supply of compressed gas to the cartridge.

The package may be used in the diffusion devices described herein butalso in other scent diffusion devices, such as devices that plug into awall outlet.

In an aspect, a package for use with a scent diffusion device mayinclude a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly,wherein the reservoir is joined to the atomizer head assembly at a topedge of the reservoir and a tube for the transportation of the liquid inthe reservoir, wherein the tube is joined to the atomizer head assemblyon a first end while a second end of the tube extends below the surfaceof the liquid. A gas inlet passage of the atomizer head assembly mayhave one end in fluid communication with a compressed air source and asecond end of the gas inlet passage in fluid communication with anorifice plate comprising a flow restriction orifice. A mixing chamber ofthe atomizer head assembly may be separated from the gas inlet passageby the orifice plate, the mixing chamber having a first wall oppositethe orifice plate comprising an atomizing orifice and a second wallcomprising an opening in fluid communication with the tube. An expansionchamber may be in fluid communication with the atomizing orifice and abaffle chamber, the baffle chamber having an outlet to a surroundingenvironment. A gas flowing into the gas inlet passage through the flowrestriction orifice generates a relatively low pressure region in themixing chamber that causes liquid from the reservoir to be drawn intothe mixing chamber through the tube where it joins the flow path of thegas out of the restrictor orifice creating a mixture of gas and liquidwhich then becomes atomized when it passes through the atomizingorifice. The liquid reservoir may have a substantially cup shapedgeometry. The top edge of the reservoir may be joined to the atomizerhead assembly by one of an ultrasonic weld and a twist lock with o-ringseal.

In embodiments, certain diffusion devices may be capable of dispersingmultiple fragrances or other liquids. In embodiments, the networkedscent diffusion device may include the capability to accept multiplepackages (also known as cartridges or reservoirs) for operation inmultiple configurations. The diffusion device may be able to accept aplurality of packages, such as greater than one package. In one example,the diffusion device has two packages. When one package is depleted ornear depletion, the diffusion device may switch to diffusion from thesecond package. In another example, the diffusion device can accept fourpackages, where two packages house a first scent and the other twopackages house a second scent, so that both the first scent and thesecond scent each have backup packages and the diffusion device canautomatically switch to a new package when one becomes empty or is neardepletion. In embodiments, the combined volume of liquid in the packagesinstalled in the device may be greater than a percentage of the expecteduse in a replenishment service cycle. For example, the combined volumeof liquid may be more than 50% of the expected use in a service cycle.Switching between packages may be done upon sensing when a package isdepleted or near depletion or may be done on some other basis, such asafter an elapsed time, if it is day or night, upon detection of acondition, upon detection of a user, and the like. A switching system isdescribed elsewhere herein.

In another example, the diffusion device may operate with multiplefragrance packages, and each package may house a different note of afragrance chord, wherein the diffusion device may be programmed to blendthe notes to form the fragrance chord. In embodiments, the fragrancechord may be a particular combination of “base,” “mid-” and/or “high”notes. The fragrance chord may be specified by a brand/media campaignspecification.

In order to maintain consistent fragrance in an environment wherefragrance oil in a reservoir may experience some evaporation ordepletion, certain methods may be employed. Fragrance oil is a mixtureof numerous liquids, each with different partial pressures. When usingatomization, components with higher vapor pressures will flash offearlier, and the heavier components will recycle back into the oilreservoir. The net effect is that as the fragrance oil depletes thefragrance chord, or resultant fragrance, will actually change. Onemethod to potentially influence this effect is to shift the duty cycleof the diffuser device (e.g. increase the t in the duty cycle) as theoil level depletes. Knowing the liquid level, either through sensors,direct measurement or estimation, enables applying the correctionfactor, t, to preserve the fragrance chord. Another method may involveleveraging a second cartridge. In this scenario, if the main cartridgeis partially depleted, adding a small amount of the fragrance oilcontained in the second cartridge will add top notes back to thefragrance chord.

In an embodiment, as scent oil is depleted over time in a package of adiffuser device with a scent oil recycling feature, the average size ofthe molecules in the remaining scent oil increases. One statisticalexplanation is that larger molecules of scent oil are more likely tofall back into the package through the recycling feature duringatomization. This change in average molecule size may affect theperformance of the diffuser and may result in a lower rate of scentdiffusion for a fixed duty cycle setting. A process for adjusting theduty cycle of the diffuser device to compensate for this change inaverage molecule size and reduced rate of diffusion may includeincreasing the duty cycle, pump pressure or other diffuser setting whichaffects rate of diffusion. In one embodiment, a liquid level sensor ofthe diffusion device may determine the liquid level remaining in thepackage and a processor of the diffusion device may use the sensedliquid level to modify a diffuser setting as described herein in orderto maintain a desired rate of scent diffusion, a target value of ascent, or a brand management goal. A method may include receiving asensed liquid level in a package of a scent diffusion device, whereinnon-atomized scent oil is recycled back into the package during deviceoperation and adjusting the duty cycle of the diffusion device tomaintain a desired rate of scent diffusion. Adjusting may include atleast one of increasing the duty cycle, increasing the pump pressure,and changing a diffuser setting.

In another example, the diffusion device may be capable of acceptingmultiple packages, and switching between the packages is done inaccordance with a time, such as to deliver a day and a night fragrance.In yet another example, the diffusion device is capable of accepting aplurality of packages, wherein one package includes a scent neutralizerand one or more other packages includes a fragrance, such as thediffusion device can switch to the scent neutralizer as needed or inbetween dispersion of different fragrances. In yet another example, thediffusion device may house multiple packages and the desired package maybe selected remotely. For example, when a guest arrives in a lobby ofthe hotel, they may choose a particular fragrance to diffuse in theirhotel room. The fragrance diffusion may be triggered remotely.Continuing with the example, the guest may have chosen the fragranceahead of time upon booking or sometime prior to arrival, such that thefragrance is triggered when the room becomes available for the guest,when the guest is checked in, when the guest enters the room and issensed by an occupancy sensor or Bluetooth/WiFi sensor, or the like. Inyet another example, the diffusion device may house multiple packagesand the liquids in the packages may be blended prior to diffusion.

In still another example, one of the packages could be a diluent toreconstitute a concentrated fragrance oil, and the blending could bedone at the level of the diffuser. Blending may be programmed to producea scent concentration factor specified by a brand/media campaignspecification. In this example, a plurality of concentrated fragrancesmay be available in the diffusion device (such as in a carousel), andone or more of the plurality of fragrances can be selected fordiffusion.

In a further example, the diffusion device may accept a single usepackage of fragrance, either in addition to the existing dual packageconfiguration or instead of it. For example, a guest in a hotel may beoffered various single use packages of fragrance for selection in alobby that they can install themselves into the diffusion device. Instill a further example, the scent in the package may be provided by acrystal, a powder, or another non-liquid element that is reconstitutedor diluted prior to diffusion.

In embodiments, the fragrance used by the diffusion devices may matchscents to be used in passive scent devices, such as candles, tarts, orgels. The fragrance may be delivered as an oil or as a solid, such as asolid crystal.

Switching between packages may be done using an automated switchingsystem. An automated switching system for a networked scent diffusiondevice housing a plurality of fragrance packages enables a switchbetween packages upon meeting a condition. For example, the conditioncan be the determination that a level of a fragrance in a package islow. In another example, the switch may be done after an elapsed time ina programmed switchover to mitigate scent desensitization. Inembodiments, the device may utilize a FIFO replenishment process.

In embodiments, the switching system employs a valve. In embodiments,the switching system employs a liquid level sensor, such as anelectrical (e.g. conductive, capacitive transmitters to measure thecumulative capacitance which is a function of the amount of liquid andis based on the liquid's dielectric constant, resistive), magnetic (e.g.Hall effect sensor or Hall effect switch), mechanical (e.g. liquid levelfloat that triggers a switch, physical switch, strain gauge), optical(e.g. imaging sensor, liquid level float plus imaging sensor) liquidlevel sensor, hydrostatic sensors (e.g. displacers, bubblers,differential pressure transmitter) to measure the pressure of theliquid, load cells to measure the mass in the package, electromagnetictransceivers that transmit an EM signal at the surface of the liquidwhich reflects back to its receiver with a time delay that is used tocalculate the liquid level (EM could be ultrasonic, laser, radar, etc.depending on the wavelength of the EM signal that is sent and received),or any other liquid level sensor. In one embodiment, the liquid levelsensor may include a floating magnet disposed within a track inside thepackage, wherein as the liquid level changes, the floating magnet movesinside the track. At least one Hall effect sensor or Hall effect switchis disposed outside the package, wherein the Hall effect sensor or Halleffect switch is disposed in such a way as to sense the position of themagnet. In an embodiment, when a particular position of the magnet issensed, which may correspond with a predetermined liquid level, a switchmay be activated that causes a move from a first state of the switch toa second state of the switch. The switch may be used to switch thediffusion device's utilization of one package to utilization of anotherpackage. For example, the switch may be a solenoid switch betweenpackages. In another embodiment, data from the liquid level sensor maybe used to monitor liquid levels inside the one or more packages in thediffusion device and predict when the package(s) will be depleted ofliquid. This prediction may be used in scheduling replenishment servicesso that the diffusion device is never out of liquid. The NOC, a localcontroller, a gateway device, or any of the devices may perform a daysof supply calculation using an algorithm as part of a predictive modelto determine when packages in a device will be depleted. The algorithmmay utilize measured current liquid level and divide that by the averageusage rate per day to determine a number of days of supply remaining.The average usage rate per day may be defined for any time perioddesired. The result of the calculation may be used to schedule an event,such as a just-in-time replacement of a package, the dispatch of areplenishment technician, or the transmission of an alert/email toon-site personnel. The days of supply calculation may also be done usingan estimated liquid level in place of the measured liquid level, whereinthe estimate may be determined based on a duty cycle used by the device,optionally in combination with other historical or modeled dataregarding device operation. The days of supply calculation may alsoutilize information such as a duration of operation, a compressed gasusage, and the like in place of the measured liquid level in order toestimate an amount of liquid remaining. In an embodiment, the liquidlevel sensor for a networked scent diffusion device provides real-timefragrance levels and causes an alert or signal to be generated when thereading from the liquid level sensor indicates a need for replacement ofa package, when an unexpected reading is obtained, and the like. Inresponse to receiving the unexpected reading, a control instruction maybe sent to the device to turn it off or otherwise cease diffusionoperations. If the reading is higher than expected, which may besuggestive of a clog, a control instruction may be sent to the device toswitch to a new package. Alerts or signals in this example andthroughout this specification may be one or more of visual, audio,electronic (e.g. SMS/MMS, text, email, pop-up, etc.), and the like.Throughout this specification, alerts may be sent asynchronously whenthe device reports an event, or if a device stops reporting to the NOCfor a predetermined period. Throughout this specification, an alert maybe triggered whenever a device goes from a non-alert state to an alertedstate. If two of the same alerts are reported in a row, the second alertwill not cause the device to retrigger a new alert—instead it willconsider the alarm still set. Audio alerts may be transmitted through aspeaker of the diffusion device. Visual alerts may be transmittedthrough LED lights of the devices, or the like. In another example,based on the data on the duty cycle and the SCF, a predictive algorithmmay be used to estimate the actual liquid level. A single sensor near anempty level of the reservoir may be used to verify liquid level.

In an aspect, an atomizing diffusion device may include a floatingmagnet disposed within a track inside at least one package with liquidfor the diffusion device, wherein as a liquid level inside the packagechanges, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along thetrack. The device may further include at least one Hall effect sensor orHall effect switch disposed outside the liquid at a position to enablesensing the position of the floating magnet in the track. The device mayalso include a processor, operatively coupled to the Hall effect sensoror Hall effect switch, for generating a signal indicative of the sensedposition of the floating magnet and a control instruction for a switchbased on the signal and a switch, operatively coupled to the processor,that receives the control instruction from the processor, wherein thecontrol instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizingone package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package inthe diffusion device. The switch may be a solenoid switch. The device ofclaim may further include a scheduling facility that receives the signaland predicts when the package will be depleted of liquid or determines apackage replenishment schedule. The device may further include a remotecomputer in communication with the processor for receiving the signaland generating an alert if the signal indicates a need for replacementof a package or when an unexpected signal is obtained. The processor maybe adapted to send a signal indicating the switch to the differentpackage in the diffusion device.

In embodiments, the switching system employs a sensor that measures thepressure in the package to determine the presence of a vacuum or athreshold pressure/partial pressure. Certain pressure readings may beassociated with a liquid level in the package. When a certainpredetermined pressure reading is obtained, it may cause an alert orsignal to be generated indicating a need for replacement of a package,an unexpected reading, and the like.

In embodiments, the switching system employs a camera or other imagingfacility to monitor the liquid level inside the package. For example,the package may have a transparent portion that may allow a camera toimage the liquid level. When the camera determines that the liquid levelhas dropped to a certain point, an alert or signal to be generatedindicating a need for replacement of a package, an unexpected reading,and the like.

In embodiments, and referring to FIG. 10, an atomizing diffusion system1000 may include a housing 1002 containing at least two packages 1004with liquid in fluid communication with at least one diffuser 1008 and asensor 1010. In embodiments, the sensor 1010 is a liquid level sensor1010 that determines the liquid level in at least one of the packages.In embodiments, the sensor 1010 may be an imaging sensor, a Hall effectsensor, a traffic/occupancy sensor, or the like. The system furtherincludes a processor 1012 operatively coupled to the liquid level sensorfor generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a controlinstruction for a switch 1014 based on the signal, wherein the switch isoperatively coupled to the processor and receives the controlinstruction from the processor. The control instruction causes thediffusion system to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusionsystem to utilizing a different package in the diffusion system. In someembodiments of the system, the system switches between a first diffuser1020 and a second diffuser 1018. In some embodiments of the system, thesystem switches packages associated with a single diffuser 1008, 1018,1020. The liquid level sensor may be an imaging sensor, wherein theliquid level inside the package is exposed through at least one of atransparent wall and a transparent window of the package. The switch maybe a solenoid switch. The device may further include a communicationfacility 1022 that enables the processor to transmit the signal to aremote computer, wherein the remote computer uses the signal to generatean alert if the signal indicates a need for replacement of a package orwhen an unexpected signal is obtained, or predict when the package willbe depleted of liquid, or to determine a package replenishment schedule.The liquid level sensor may include a floating magnet disposed within atrack inside at least one of the packages, wherein as a liquid levelinside the package changes, the floating magnet moves substantiallyvertically along the track, and at least one of a Hall effect sensor anda Hall effect switch disposed outside the package at a position toenable sensing the position of the floating magnet in the track. Theatomizing diffusion device may be a scent diffusion device.

In some embodiments, the atomizing diffusion system includes at leasttwo packages with liquid in fluid communication with at least onediffuser, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in atleast one of the packages, and a processor, operatively coupled to theliquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquidlevel and a control instruction for altering a state of the diffusionsystem. In some cases, the altered state is a switch between packages.In other cases, the altered state is a shutdown of the device.

Referring now to FIG. 24A, an embodiment of the diffusion deviceincludes cartridges 2424, an antenna 2404, a display 2422, and controlbuttons 2420. FIG. 24B shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 24A.FIG. 24C shows the view along Section A-A of FIG. 24B. FIG. 24C depictsa power switch 2428, solenoids 2410, pump 2418, power supply 2402, andpower barrel connector 2414. FIG. 24D depicts a power supply 2402,antenna 2404, fan 2408, solenoids 2410, pump 2418, power barrelconnector 2414, and level sensor board 2412. The level sensor boards2412 have a plurality of Hall effect sensors that as the magnet passesby it floating in the cartridge, the liquid level inside the cartridgeis measured. The sensors themselves are on the opposite side of the viewof the board 2412 in FIG. 24D. What is seen in FIG. 24D is the board2412 and the circuit lines running to each of the sensors on the otherside.

In an embodiment, and referring to FIG. 13, a method of operating anatomizing scent diffusion device may include configuring the atomizingscent diffusion device with a package adapted to store a liquid, whereinthe liquid level inside the package is determined with a liquid levelsensor 1302, generating a signal indicative of the liquid level by thesensor 1304, transmitting the signal to a remote computer with acommunications facility of the atomizing scent diffusion device 1308,and initiating an event remotely at the remote computer based on thesignal 1310. The event may be scheduling a replenishment, dispatch of areplenishment technician, transmission of an alert/email to on-sitepersonnel, predicting a time until depletion, and the like. Predictingmay include performing a days of supply calculation. The calculation mayinvolve taking the measured current liquid level and dividing it by theaverage usage rate per day to determine a number of days of supplyremaining. The average usage rate per day may be defined for a timeperiod. The method may further include scheduling a replenishment basedon the time. The method may further include generating a controlinstruction for a switch based on the signal, and receiving the controlinstruction from the processor, wherein the control instruction causesthe diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in thediffusion device to utilizing a different package also configured in thediffusion device.

In an embodiment, a method of operating an atomizing diffusion devicemay include configuring the atomizing diffusion device with a packageadapted to store a liquid, wherein the liquid level inside the packageis estimated using a criteria, coupling a processor to the device togenerate a signal indicative of the estimated liquid level, andinitiating an event based on the signal. The event may be predicting atime until depletion, an alert, turning off the device or otherwiseceasing diffusion operations, and the like. Predicting may includeperforming a days of supply calculation. The calculation may involvetaking the measured current liquid level and dividing it by the averageusage rate per day to determine a number of days of supply remaining.The calculation may involve a duration of operation or a compressed gasusage in place of the measured liquid level in order to estimate anamount of liquid remaining. The average usage rate per day may bedefined for a time period. The method may include scheduling areplenishment based on the time. The estimated liquid level may bedetermined based on a duty cycle used by the device or on historical ormodeled data regarding device operation.

In an embodiment, a method of coordinating a plan or plans for servicingatomizing diffusion devices, such as scent diffusion devices, within anenvironment may include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion deviceswithin an environment, wherein each diffusion device includes acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one liquidlevel sensor within each diffusion device, receiving at the remotecomputer, liquid level data from the plurality of diffusion devices; andbased on the liquid level data, determining via the remote computer anefficient or optimized plan or plans for servicing the diffusiondevices. The plan or plans may involve one or more of: the production ofscent fragrance, the procurement of scent fragrance, the management ofscent inventory, the delivery of scent inventory, and the scheduling orcoordination of resources to accomplish the plan of efficient oroptimized servicing of a plurality of devices within an environment. Inembodiments, the plan covers servicing atomizing diffusion deviceswithin a plurality of environments.

In an aspect, a method relating to atomizing diffusion devices within aplurality of environments may include accessing an electronic datastructure characterizing physical parameters of a plurality of remotediffusion devices disposed within a plurality of environments, whereinthe electronic data structure includes data specifying at least one ofthe production of scent fragrance, the procurement of scent fragrance,the management of scent inventory, the delivery of scent inventory, andthe scheduling or coordination of resources to accomplish thetransformation 1102, accessing at the remote computer, relevantlogistical data 1104, and providing a service plan for the diffusiondevices based on the electronic data structure and the relevantlogistical data 1108. The method may further include accessing, at theremote computer, relevant logistical data at the remote computer, andbased on the liquid level and logistical data, determining via theremote computer a plan or plans for servicing the diffusion devices. Thelogistical data may include at least one of the location of eachenvironment or diffusion device, transportation map data, and routeoptimization algorithms. The liquid level is measured using an imagingsensor. The liquid level inside a package of the atomizing diffusiondevice may be exposed through at least one of a transparent wall and atransparent window of the package. The liquid level sensor may include afloating magnet disposed within a track inside at least one of thepackages, wherein as a liquid level inside the package changes, thefloating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, and atleast one of a Hall effect sensor and a Hall effect switch disposedoutside the package at a position to enable sensing the position of thefloating magnet in the track. Determining the plan may includeperforming a days of supply calculation, wherein the calculationinvolves taking the measured current liquid level and dividing it by theaverage usage rate per day to determine a number of days of supplyremaining, and wherein the average usage rate per day is defined for atime period. Scheduling and coordination of resources may include thedispatch of a replenishment technician or the transmission of analert/email to on-site personnel. The electronic data structure may begenerated at a computer based on liquid level data from the plurality ofremote atomizing diffusion devices. Each diffusion device may include acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer and at least one liquid levelsensor. The liquid level may be measured using a liquid level sensorincluding a floating magnet disposed within a track inside at least onepackage of the atomizing diffusion device, wherein as a liquid levelinside the package changes, the floating magnet moves substantiallyvertically along the track, and at least one of a Hall effect sensor anda Hall effect switch disposed outside the package at a position toenable sensing the position of the floating magnet in the track. Thephysical parameters may relate to liquid levels of the diffusiondevices.

In an embodiment, an atomizing diffusion device may include at least twopackages with liquid in fluid communication with a scent diffusiondevice, wherein the liquid level inside the package is exposed throughat least one of a transparent wall and a transparent window of thepackage. At least one imaging sensor may be disposed outside the packagein the diffusion device to image the liquid level in the package. Aprocessor may be operatively coupled to the imaging sensor to generate asignal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for aswitch based on the signal. The switch may be operatively coupled to theprocessor to receive the control instruction from the processor, whereinthe control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch fromutilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a differentpackage in the diffusion device. The processor may be adapted to send asignal indicating the switch to the different package in the diffusiondevice.

In embodiments, the liquid level sensor may be used in combination withanother measure to determine if the diffusion device is performingcorrectly. For example, if the liquid level sensor indicates aparticular level of liquid inside the package, but the pump activityand/or rate of consumption of compressed air indicates that more liquidshould have been depleted, an alert or signal may be generatedindicating the unexpected reading. Such an unexpected reading may becaused by a leak in the system or a clogged atomization nozzle or any ofmany possible malfunctions or performance issues.

In an aspect, an atomizing diffusion device may include at least twopackages with liquid in fluid communication with a scent diffusiondevice, wherein a first package contains a neutralizer and a secondpackage contains a scent, a communications facility that receives datafrom on detected malodors, and a processor, for executing a controlinstruction based on the data to cause the diffusion device to diffuseat least one of the neutralizer, the scent, and a mixture of the two tocounteract the malodor. The data may be derived from environmentalsensors. The control instruction may be changing the duty cycle ofdiffusion of the scent and neutralizer agents. Changing the duty cyclemay involve solenoids for each package opening for a certain % of theduty cycle. The data may be derived from a wind direction sensordetecting neighborhood malodors being carried toward a scenting locationor a humidity sensor.

In an embodiment, the wireless, networked diffusion devices communicatewith one another via a networking protocol, wherein the communicationbetween the devices enables generating a consistent scent profile in awide area. Each diffusion device is capable of operating in severalmodes, depending on the presence of a WWAN module within the device andits start-up protocol. With a WWAN module installed, the device may autoconfigure itself in “gateway mode” and may be known as a scent gatewaydevice. With no WWAN module installed, the device may be known as ascent node device. In any event, devices may further include a LAN card.Devices may communicate with one another or may be stand-alone.Alternatively, in some local networking scenarios, devices may behard-wired to one another and/or to a central networking device. In someembodiments, the devices may transmit and receive communication througha cloud server.

In one scenario, a scent dispersion network is established, comprisingone scent gateway device and one or more scent node devices, where thescent gateway device and the scent node device may be diffusion devicesas described herein. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished in thefollowing manner: 1) the scent gateway device is installed and pluggedinto AC or DC power; 2) a startup protocol within the scent gatewaydevice includes a self-diagnostic, followed by activation of the WWANmodule, and the establishment of communications with the NOC; 3) thescent gateway device then receives configuration settings from the NOC,and begins dispersing scent according to its downloaded programming; 4)upon establishing its own configuration, the scent gateway devicesearches its wireless local area network for scent node devices; 5) uponidentifying scent node devices, the scent gateway device thenestablishes communications with each scent node device; 6) the scentgateway device gathers information from each scent node device, and thenrelays that information to the NOC; 7) the NOC receives the deviceinformation and communicates program settings and information to eachscent node device, via the scent gateway device; 8) each scent nodedevice, having received its configuration settings from the NOC via thescent gateway device, begins dispersing scent according to itsdownloaded programming. This exemplary scenario provides remote andcentralized management of a scent dispersion network via a scent gatewaydevice, which is a scent dispersion device that also acts as the networkgateway. Communication between devices may occur via various networkingprotocols listed elsewhere herein, such as Bluetooth (full power andLE), MiWi, Zigbee, and the like. In embodiments, for a large area,multiple gateway devices may be deployed to establish one or more scentdispersion networks in a location.

Once a scent dispersion network is established, the scent gateway devicemay continue to communicate and store data and instructions to and fromeach paired or associated scent dispersion device within a venue, andthen relays the data and instructions between the NOC and each scentdispersion device. In this manner, the status of the scent dispersionnetwork and each device is regularly communicated to the NOC, and NOCadministrators are able to remotely monitor scent dispersion networkoperations, and control the devices to take actions to ensure fragrancedispersion is conforming to commercial brand standards or otherparameters. In one embodiment, the scent dispersion network includesonly a scent gateway device in communication with a NOC and noassociated or networked scent node devices.

The NOC may include a database of all diffusion devices in the field,including information such as device type, location, customer, sensorreadings from the diffusion device, a scent diffusion level, fragranceoil volume, fragrance oil type, package/reservoir type, compressed airvolume, number of devices in a local network, an on/off status, anyalerts, current firmware, permissions and security settings, and thelike. Any of the device settings or statuses may be viewed and/or orcontrolled remotely by a NOC user. The NOC enables running reports inorder to check system health and effectiveness at customer locations andgenerating alerts when diffusion device issues are detected at customersites. The NOC enables managing cellular wireless provisioning,accounts, usage; remotely managing local mesh wireless networks used tointerconnect diffusion devices at a customer site; managing firmwareupdates in the field; utilizing centralized software applications togather telemetry data from diffusion devices over the Internet; and thelike. A ticketing and workflow facility, described elsewhere herein, forfired alerts may allow NOC users to log responses to the alerts androute tickets to people who can resolve them (e.g., service techs). FIG.2 depicts an embodiment of a scent management system 200 that enablesremote control, monitoring and management of scent devices from acentral NOC. In this embodiment, enterprise applications 202 forworkflow, analytics, and support as well as consumer apps 204 for mobileand web control may interface with the NOC software 208, which may runin the NOC 118. The enterprise application 202 may run on a NOC userdevice 114. The consumer apps, such as a customer control app, may runon a consumer control device 120. The NOC software 208 may includefeatures such as virtualized device services, web service APIs, areal-time alert engine, distributed data storage, data rate services,account management, a firmware upgrade manager, secure networks anddate, and a scalable cloud architecture. In this embodiment, the NOC 208communicates via WiFi or a cellular internet gateway with diffusiondevices 210 which themselves may be locally networked, such as Zigbeenetworked. FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of enterprise architecture 300.In this embodiment, the architecture 300 includes a billing & financialsfacility 302 that receives billing & payables data from a devicemanagement facility 308, an inventory management facility 304 thatinterfaces with the device management facility 308 for the purposes ofexchanging information on new devices, repairs, and replacements, a NOC118 for monitoring diffusers 102, 104 through the device managementfacility 308, a ticketing & workflow facility 310 that interfaces withthe NOC 118, the device management facility 308, and the service techinterface 314 for creating and managing tickets for service staff, acustomer interface 312 for viewing diffuser status and adjustingsettings, and a service technician interface 314 to receive servicerequests and update status, install and service diffusers.

For example, system administrators in the NOC are able to, among otherthings, review status data received from devices within the scentdispersion network, control the program settings of all networked scentdevices, identify performance problems within scent dispersion networks,schedule the replenishment of fragrance cartridges, and schedule themaintenance, repair or replacement of malfunctioning networked scentdevices. The NOC administrators are able to accomplish such tasksmanually by reviewing status data and making changes in real time, or byallowing the NOC software to automatically take action to maintain andsupport scent dispersion network based on pre-established rules andheuristics. FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a NOC system view600. In this view, tabs are visible for alerts, devices, information,users, and a search window. An installation sites window lists sites byparent company (e.g. Hotel A, Hotel B, Hotel C), sites that aresubsidiary or otherwise associated with the parent (e.g. Hotel A1, HotelA2), and yet further sites associated the secondary level of the companyhierarchy (e.g. Hotel A1-Location 1, Hotel A1-Location 2, HotelA1-Location 3). In this figure, the user tab is exposed indicating whois a contact point for the installation. FIG. 7 depicts an exemplaryembodiment of an overview 700 of diffusion devices at a particularlocation. In this example, the diffusers are listed, a map with alocation of the sites is shown, alerts are shown, and any NOC-specificfunctions, such as adding a diffuser or gateway, may be shown. For thediffuser listing, information such as a current setting, a currentfragrance level, a WiMi signal strength, and a device type may be shownalong with any other diffuser or sensor data. Each diffuser may beselected so that the user can drill down on specifics for that diffuser.FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a view of a “drill down” 800to diffusion device data. Current fragrance level, current setting, aschedule, a fragrance level/FCL (fragrance concentration level)/SCF(scent concentration factor) history, and a temperature history may beshown as well as any other diffuser or sensor data.

In an embodiment, a user interface for a network of scent diffusiondevices may include a device management & monitoring (DM&M) facilitythat includes configurable dashboards to enable a plurality ofactivities for the network of scent diffusion devices, and a securityfacility to set one or more permissions for the activities. Theactivities may be at least one of viewing diffusion device telemetrydata, maps of diffusion device locations, receiving liquid levelreadings or other gauge/sensor readings, providing control instructionsto diffusion devices, reviewing status of and managing scent operationsfor one or more networks of scent diffusion devices, receiving data andstatus information from devices, generating and viewing reports,adjusting device settings, viewing historical graphs showing theperformance of the devices, receiving alerts, configuring alerttriggers, viewing and editing schedules and scent profiles, viewingunitless parameters for articulating and displaying a fragrance level,reviewing alerts to replace packages, ordering and paying for newpackages, renewing subscriptions for scent management services,reviewing system health (e.g. machine down alerts), changing permissionsfor a user, initiating a ticket/workflow, assigning a servicetechnician, adding or removing a device from a network, and adding acustomer/division/store. A mobile application may be used to access theuser interface. The user interface may further include a schedulingfacility to indicate when a service is scheduled to occur in anenvironment and allowing a user to select a scent to be diffused in theenvironment that complements the scheduled service. The alerts may bebased on various criteria and configurable conditions (e.g., low liquid,machine down, etc.). Viewing and editing schedules and scent profilesmay be done for one or more diffusion devices independently of oneanother. Adjusting device settings may involve the user increasing ordecreasing the overall output of all diffusion devices in the locationand allowing a NOC to calculate and adjust the settings for eachdiffusion device needed to achieve the overall location volume setting.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the scent diffusion devices comprise a communications facilitythat enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, receiving at least one scent parameter for scenting anenvironment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve thescent parameter. Controlling may include adjusting an operationparameter of the scent diffusion device in response to a sensedfragrance level in the environment.

Referring to FIG. 9, a method for operating atomizing diffusion deviceswithin an environment may include receiving at a computer, liquid leveldata from a plurality of remote atomizing diffusion devices wherein eachdiffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablestransmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer andat least one liquid level sensor, and based on the liquid level data902, creating, via the remote computer, an electronic data structurecharacterizing the transformation of the remote diffusion devices,wherein the electronic data structure includes data specifying at leastone of the production of scent fragrance, the procurement of scentfragrance, the management of scent inventory, the delivery of scentinventory 904, and causing the remote atomizing diffusion devices toimplement the transformation 908.

In another aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment mayinclude disposing one or more scent diffusion devices within anenvironment, wherein the scent diffusion devices include acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer. The method may further includedisposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmitssensor data to the remote computer and receiving at least one scentparameter for scenting the environment at the remote computer. Themethod further includes controlling, via the remote computer, diffusionof a liquid from a source of the liquid that is in fluid communicationwith at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve the scentparameter. In embodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid but diffusionof a gas. Controlling may include setting or adjusting an operationparameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.The sensor data may relate to static parameters or dynamic parameters,such as room volume, room geometry, room area, airflow, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,air flow, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection (e.g. IR, camera,CO₂ sensor), proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrance level, scentconcentration factor, temperature, humidity, time of day, season,weather event, detection of a VIP/specific individual entering thespace, such as via a smartphone ping, and the like. In certainembodiments, the scent diffusion device(s) may be configured atinstallation to a baseline configuration, based on the static parametersof the installation site. Then, the device would intelligently adjustoutput of scent, based on algorithms that adjust for dynamic parametersor time-changing conditions. Certain static parameters include roomvolume, room geometry, room area, and altitude. With respect to roomvolume, volume calculations may be performed based on measurements takenof the room, for example, using a tape measure or a laser distancemeter, and then adding the volume data into a data structure whichcharacterizes the space in which the diffuser is deployed. This may bedone at device installation to establish the baseline settings for theScent Concentration Factor. With respect to room geometry, geometry maybe determined by taking into account entries, exits and other areas ofpeople movement, as well as from floor plans. Room area may becalculated based on sensor measurements of linear distance betweenwalls. With respect to altitude, the diffusion devices may have aproximity detection capability based on cell phone technology, whichallows the device to “know” where it is located, for example at aspecific longitude and latitude. Given the long-lat information, thenetworked device can inquire from a remote database the specificaltitude of the location where it is located. This altitude informationis then used to adjust device performance, so for example, a lowersetting of scent diffusion would be used at high elevations with“thinner” air, while a higher level of scent diffusion would be used atlower elevations with “thicker” air.

Dynamic parameters include the presence of odor-producing materials,presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow, traffic flow,occupancy detection (e.g. IR, camera, CO₂ sensor), proximity sensing,detected odor, fragrance level, scent concentration factor, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, detection of aVIP/specific individual entering the space, and the like.

With respect to airflow, a sensor technology may measure the mass of airflowing through a device (typically a tube) per unit time. The airflowsensor may be a flow or pressure differential sensor, or switch, ortransducer. For a fixed airflow HVAC system, the air flow sensor may bein the form of a switch, which indicates whether air flow is occurringor not, above a certain threshold. That information would be used toturn “on” the scent diffuser when air is flowing, and turn “off” thescent diffuser when air is not flowing. For a variable airflow HVACsystem, the airflow sensor may provide an analog voltage reading, whichindicates the actual level of air flow. This analog signal may be usedto automatically adjust the diffuser output, based on the level of airflow. In such a way, the device is able to increase scent diffusion whenair flow is high and lower it when air flow is low (or stop when airflow is “off”).

With respect to the presence of odor-producing materials, semiconductorsensors may identify air born scent particles, wherein such sensors maybe “tuned” to specific scents. The receptors of these sensors may beable to identify the shape of a scent molecule, or alternatively, are“tuned” to a certain quantum effect of the scent molecules such as itslevel of vibration. Based on the detection of certain known malodorswithin an environment, the diffusion device can change its level orscent or conversely can add a secondary odor remediation orneutralization diffusion which counteracts the malodor. In the case ofthe two-cartridge system, one cartridge contains the desired scentfragrance, while the second cartridge contains the odorremediate/neutralizer, which would be diffused according to apre-programmed response, once a certain malodor is detected.

With respect to the presence of odor-sinking factors, certain types ofmolecules will interact with or bind to scent particles, causing them todrop out of circulation. These odor-sinking factors can be identified inmuch the same way as previously described for malodors, allowing thediffusion device to follow a pre-programmed algorithm in response to thepresence of the odor sinking factor.

With respect to lighting, photodetectors are devices that can sense thepresence of photons. There are a variety of well-known and commerciallyavailable technologies which enable photo-detection, and some which alsoare “tuned” to detect and measure the relative amount of certain typesof photons, which have characteristic wavelengths (red, blue, etc. inthe visible spectrum of lights). The diffusion device has data inputsthat enable it to respond to the detection or absence of light, such as,to turn off scent diffusion when no light is detected. Similarly,lighting systems in theatrical productions can be used to control thescent diffusers, so that the networked scent diffuser will follow theprogrammatic direction of a lighting control system.

With respect to traffic flow, people detectors are sensors that cancount the number of times a person has walked past a specific point. Onedetector is a photoelectric sensor, which detects the number of times abeam of light, which is placed across a space, is broken or interceptedby a person walking past. Another detector is an image or video camera,which uses image processing techniques to determine the number of peoplein a space, as well as their individual dwell times. The diffusiondevice can take information from a traffic flow sensor and automaticallyadjust its scent diffusion, for example, by scenting an area as peopleare arriving, or increasing the scent level to accommodate a largertraffic throughput.

With respect to occupancy detection, these sensors can confirm thepresence of one or more individuals within a space. One approachincludes an image or video camera that uses image processing techniquesto determine the number of people in a space, as well as theirindividual dwell times. The diffusion device can take informationrelated to occupancy and automatically adjust its scent diffusion, forexample, by providing more scent to an area with more as people, orstopping scent from diffusion in an unoccupied room and then beginningdiffusion of fragrance upon the arrival of people.

With respect to proximity sensing, proximity sensors are triggered whena person is directly in front of a particular space, such as in front ofa particular product display. By sensing the presence of a person atthat space, the diffuser is able to provide a scent experience,coordinated with the presentation of the product in the display.

With respect to detection of a VIP/specific individual entering thespace, cameras with facial recognition software can determine thepresence and identity of an individual or individuals, whose facialprofiles have been pre-loaded for comparison. In another embodiment, theVIP/specific individual may be detected via detection of theirsmartphone. The presence of specific people can therefore becommunicated to the device from these sensors, allowing the scentdiffusion device to alter its performance.

With respect to fragrance level, by “tagging” a desired scent fragrancewith a molecular tag, such as a charged particle, a sensor may be ableto identify and determine the concentration of the “tagged” scentparticles within a space. The diffusion device can be set to deliver acertain level of scent concentration within an environment, and usingodor detection of the scent particles which the diffuser is dispensing,can ensure a defined range of acceptable scent level, or “scentconcentration factor” or SCF. When the sensor detects odorconcentrations below the desired SCF, then the diffuser deliversadditional fragrance to achieve the desired concentration. If themeasured concentration is within the defined SCF, then the diffusercontinues monitoring without diffusion. If the concentration is abovethe SCF, the diffuser can continue monitoring without diffusion, or candiffuse an odor sinking formulation which binds with airborne scent andthereby reduces the scent level to within the desired SCF range.

With respect to temperature, the scent diffuser may have multiple waysof measuring temperature. Internal temperature within the diffusiondevice is measured using a thermistor that is present in the electronicsof the device. This thermistor allows the device to communicate theinternal temperature to a remote monitoring center, which can be alertedif internal temperature exceeds a prescribed threshold such as itsrecommended operating range of temperature. Similarly, with remotemonitoring, the device can be pre-programmed to take certain actionunder certain temperature condition, such as, stop dispensing fragranceoil if the temperature is above its operating threshold, or below thefreezing point of the scent oil. External temperature may be measuredbased a thermal sensor (thermistor) mounted on the exterior of thedevice, allowing the diffuser to alter its performance based on changingtemperatures within the environment which is being. The temperature ofthe exterior climate can be retrieved from a remote data structure,based on the geo-code location of the device using its networkconnectivity. The diffuser can react to the exterior temperature of theenvironment, by diffusing alternate fragrances, or by altering the scentconcentration. With all three forms of temperature measurement andtracking data across diffusers using the remote monitoring capability ofthe devices, one can determine the statistical correlation oftemperature to other performance trends, for example, oil consumptionrate over time.

With respect to humidity, a humidity sensor installed within a devicecan detect internal device humidity, one on the exterior of the devicecan determine environmental humidity within the space being fragranced,and geocode and remote data lookups can be used to retrieve the humidityof the local climate. The scent device can react to changes in thesehumidity levels similarly as described for temperature. Similarly, overtime, remote monitoring can be used to evaluate and correlate trenddata, such as how humidity affects the consumption rate of scent oilwithin a diffuser.

With respect to time of day, the diffusers are smart, connected devices,and consequently, accurately know the time. Based on the geolocationdata from the cell phone modem (or network id) of a diffuser in a thescented environment, the device can accurately set its clock to thecorrect local time zone, and automatically adjust for seasonaladjustments in time, with the goal of keeping the diffuser unit intime-sync with the world clock. Since the scent diffuser devices havethe ability to change fragrance output or fragrance type based on scentprograms or play lists, it is critical that the device has an accuraterepresentation of its current time.

With respect to season, the diffuser has the ability to accurately telltime as well as know the current day, week and year, using the sameapproach as described above. Using this knowledge of time, it can beprogrammed for different performance on different days or in differentseasons of the year.

With respect to a weather event, since the diffuser is smart andconnected, local weather conditions can be downloaded to the devicebased on its geolocation. Based on these local weather conditions, thediffusing device can alter its performance based on a predefined set ofrules.

The scent diffusion device may include at least one package containing afragrance oil or at least two packages containing a fragrance oil. Inembodiment, one of the scent diffusion devices is a master node and theother of the scent diffusion devices are slave nodes and receive controlinstructions from the computer through the master node. In thisembodiment, each scent diffusion device can adjust its own controlsettings based on the activities of the other scent diffusion devices.The method may include configuring the scent diffusion devices so that adevice duty cycle for one of scent diffusion devices does or does notoccur simultaneously within proximity to another one of the scentdiffusion devices. The scent parameter may relate to a brand managementgoal. The method may further include determining the total number ofscent diffusion devices to dispose in the environment based on a roomvolume. The method may further include determining one or more locationsto dispose the scent diffusion devices in the environment based on aroom volume. The operation parameter may include at least one of a flowrate of the liquid, a duration of flow of the liquid, a variation in theflow rate of the liquid, an on/off status of the diffusion device, apackage from which to diffuse the liquid, a switch to a differentpackage from which to diffuse the liquid, and the like.

In another exemplary use scenario, the scent dispersion network includesone or more scent node devices and a wide-area network gateway device.In this scenario, the network gateway device performs the communicationand control functions of the scent gateway device, without actuallydispersing fragrance. In this scenario, system administrators in the NOCcontrol the program settings of all networked scent devices, and ensurefragrance dispersion is conforming to commercial brand standards orother parameters. This scenario provides remote and centralizedmanagement of a scent dispersion network via a network gateway devicethat does not dispense fragrance.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from anon-fragrance dispensing, wide-area network gateway device. The methodmay further include networking the network gateway device to the scentdiffusion devices, wherein the network gateway device receivescommunication and control functions from a remote computer fordistribution to the scent diffusion devices. At least one sensordisposed within the environment may transmit sensor data to the remotecomputer. At least one target value of a scent parameter for anenvironment may be received at the remote computer. The method mayfurther include controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of aliquid, from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at leastone of the scent diffusion devices, to achieve the target value of thescent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of one or more of the scent diffusion devices basedon the sensor data. In embodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid butdiffusion of a gas. At least one of the scent diffusion devices receivescontrol instructions from the remote computer and relays controlinstructions to at least one other scent diffusion device. The scentdiffusion devices may relay control instructions in series, in a ring,in a mesh, in a star networking topology, and the like.

In another exemplary use scenario, the scent dispersion network includesone or more scent node devices, a local area network control device, butwithout a wide-area network gateway device. Each scent node device ispaired with a local area network control device, which enables a localuser within a venue to program and control the scent node devicesindependently of a NOC (local control, versus centralized remotecontrol). This scenario enables local management of a scent dispersionnetwork via wireless local area network communication protocols.Examples of local area network control devices include a computer orlaptop with wireless local area network communication capability; asmart phone, pad device, or tablet computer with wireless local areanetwork communication capability; or a purpose built scent controllerdevice with wireless local area network communication capability. Inembodiments, the scent controller device may be a handheld orwall-mounted device for controlling one or more networked scent diffuserdevices.

In an embodiment, a method of managing scent in an environment, mayinclude disposing at least one scent diffusion device within anenvironment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a standalone remote control device, receiving atleast one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at thestandalone remote control device, and based on the target value,controlling, via the standalone remote control device, diffusion of aliquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the atleast one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of thescent parameter. In embodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid butdiffusion of a gas.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a local areanetwork control device and networking the local area network controldevice to each of the scent diffusion devices, wherein the local areanetwork control device receives communications from and distributescontrol instructions to the scent diffusion devices. The method mayfurther include disposing at least one sensor within the environmentthat transmits sensor data to the local area network control device,receiving at least one scent parameter for scenting an environment atthe local area network control device, and controlling, via the localarea network control device, the diffusion of a liquid or gas, from asource of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one of thescent diffusion devices, to achieve the scent parameter, whereincontrolling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of oneor more of the scent diffusion devices in response to the sensor data.The local area network control device may include one or more of acomputer or laptop with wireless local area network communicationcapability, a smart phone, a pad device or tablet computer with wirelesslocal area network communication capability, a purpose built scentcontroller device with wireless local area network communicationcapability, a handheld device, a wall-mounted device, and the like.

In yet another exemplary use scenario, the scent dispersion systemincludes one or more scent node devices, with no wide-area networkgateway device and no local area network control device. This scenarioprovides for the stand-alone operation of a scent node device usingmanual settings, established by a local individual using the userinterface found on each fragrance dispersion device.

In embodiments, multiple master devices may be deployed at a singlephysical location. In embodiment of multi-device installs (master-slaveconfiguration), each device can adjust its own control settings based onthe activities of the other devices. The system may be a coordinatednetwork of devices with “local scent network” level control mechanismsversus device stand-alone control mechanisms. For example, a group ofmeshed dispensers could be configured so that individual device dutycycles do not occur simultaneously within proximity to one another (onedevice waits for the previous one to dispense, so they do not end upoverloading an area with multiple scent devices “firing” at the sametime). Of course, they may also be configured to fire simultaneously. Ineffect, coordination, sequencing, and/or synchronization of meshed scentdevices is controlled dynamically.

In an embodiment, the number and location of scent diffusion deviceswithin an enclosed space may be established based on the volume of thespace but the individual control programs for those devices may be basedon something other than the volume of the space, such as a sensorreading, an area, a linear distance from the device to a target, and thelike. In embodiments, the initial settings for the diffusion devices maybe established in one manner, such as by using room volume, but then mayswitch over to control via a different mechanism, such as byenvironmental adjustments or rate of consumption measurements, and thelike.

In an embodiment, the diffusion devices may operate in a scent-castingmode, wherein the devices are programmed with a linear distance to ascent target location and the level of fragrance that should be at thattarget location. Further considerations may include airflow and tonnageof an HVAC system when programming a scent-casting mode. In ascent-casting mode, the goal is not to fill the space with fragrance,but rather scent a targeted area or audience with the scent brandimpression.

In an aspect, a method of scent casting in an environment may includedisposing a scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein thescent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablestransmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer,determining a distance from the scent diffusion device to a scent targetlocation, receiving, at the remote computer, at least one scentparameter for the scent target location, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, the scent diffusion device to achieve the scent parameter,wherein controlling includes setting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion device based on the determined distance and the scentparameter. The method may further include disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, and adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusiondevice in response to the sensor data. The sensor data may relate to atleast one of room volume, room geometry, room area, airflow, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,air flow, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2sensor), proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrance level, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, and detection of aVIP/specific individual entering the space (via smartphone ping or thelike). The method may further include adjusting an operation parameterof the scent diffusion device in response to an HVAC tonnage.

Scent casting in an environment may be accomplished using a network ofdiffusion devices, such as scent diffusion devices. A network ofdiffusion devices may be disposed within an environment that eachincludes a communications facility enabling that transmission of signalsto and the reception of signals from a remote computer. One suchreceived signal may be a scent parameter for a scent target location. Adistance from the diffusion devices to the scent target location may bedetermined by any means available for such determination. Via the remotecomputer, the network of diffusion devices may be controlled to achievethe scent parameter. Controlling may include setting an operationparameter of the diffusion devices based on the determined distance andthe scent parameter.

Scent casting may also be implemented using a hotspot in an environment.Such a diffusion device may include a sensor to determine a distancefrom the diffusion device to a scent target location and a firstcommunications facility 1022 that receives control signals from anetwork operations center, the control signals for controlling a scentdiffusion from the diffusion device in accordance with a scentimpression goal and the distance. The device may also include a secondcommunications facility 1024 to communicate data with a mobile device atthe scent target location for consumer engagement, such as to provideconsumers with a coupon, an ad, a survey, a game, or other content.

A ticketing & workflow facility of the NOC may receive alerts from thedevice management and monitoring system and create tickets. Tickets maybe routed, based on rules, to the correct person, or in some cases,rules might automatically trigger some action (e.g., shut down a devicethat is misbehaving, or reboot a device). The ticketing & workflowfacility may be a configured version of a commercial service ticketingsystem.

Managed, networked diffusion devices, where the device is agnostic tothe actual diffusion technology, may be used for generating a consistentscent profile in a wide area/ambient environment in accordance withbrand standards or other parameters. In an embodiment, generating theconsistent scent profile involves consistently neutralizing a malodor inan environment. Generating a consistent scent profile may includemanagement of duty cycle, schedule, fragrance level/fragrancereplenishment, room volume, room geometry, airflow, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,temperature, humidity, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy, time of day,inventory of particular “base,” “mid-” and “high” notes in a fragrancechord and other variables relating to the environment. As such, datacollected by or about the device, data based on measurements by sensorson or associated with the device, and data from users may be transmittedto, generated, or used by the NOC in order to facilitate management.These data will be described herein.

Certain data types may be sent from the diffusion devices to the NOC orother user. Data regarding a work schedule, such as duty cycle, dayparts, and the like, may be sent by the diffuser. Object type, such asthe type of diffuser (e.g. Master, Slave, standalone), may betransmitted by the diffuser. The diffusion device may transmit thefragrance name(s) and level(s). For example, the fragrance level may bea value from 0 to 100, with 100 being full and 0 being empty. Thetemperature, in Fahrenheit, Celsius or other units, as well as date andtime may be transmitted. The diffusion device may send an indication ofthe strength of the local wireless link. An array of any error codesthat are currently present on the device may be transmitted. Thediffusion device may transmit the average pump pressure.

The diffusion device may report diagnostic data on a periodic basis,such as weekly/daily, or by forcing the diffusion device into adiagnostic mode, such as via a local keypad or controller, or from theNOC. Data usage may be reported by Master devices, such as cellular datausage.

In an embodiment, a device management & monitoring (DM&M) facility maybe embodied in a user interface that may include configurable dashboardsto enable activities, such as viewing diffusion device telemetry data,viewing maps of diffusion device locations, receiving liquid levelreadings or other gauge/sensor readings, providing control instructionsto diffusion devices, review status of and manage scent operations forone or more networks of scent diffusion devices, receive data fromdevices, receive alerts, view/edit schedules and scent profiles, viewunitless parameter for articulating and displaying a fragrance level,review alerts to replace packages, order new packages and pay on-line,renew subscriptions for scent management services, review system health(e.g. machine down alerts), change permissions for a user, initiate aticket/workflow, assign a service technician, add/remove device from anetwork, add customer/division/store, and the like. In embodiments, amobile application, such as a smartphone or tablet application, mayallow customers to access a mobile version of the user interface.

The user interface may be used to set up and trigger alerts based onvarious criteria and configurable conditions (e.g., low liquid, machinedown, etc.), wherein the NOC may manage the system by exception based ondetected alarms. The user interface may allow customers to view thestatus of their diffusion devices, adjust their settings, or viewhistorical graphs showing the performance of the devices. The userinterface may take data from DM&M and present it in a way that uses thelanguage of fragrance, rather than of devices (e.g., MAC Address, PANnumber). In embodiments, the DM&M facility may be responsible for allcommunication with diffusion devices and may be the only module that canchange diffusion device settings. In other embodiments, WiFicapabilities may be included in the master diffusion device enabling adirect connection to the device.

The user interface may be used to manage and edit the schedules for oneor more diffusion devices independently of one another. That is, thereis the ability for different diffusers at a single site to havedifferent schedules.

A reports page may be used to generate and access reports. An “aboutpage” or introductory page may tell the user about the version number ofthe application, as well as the version number and device types of thevarious devices.

The user interface may include a login screen for entering the user'sUser ID and password and authenticating it. The user interface mayinclude a dashboard page that shows the status of all local diffusiondevices at a summary level. A visual icon representing each diffusiondevice with an indicator for function or status may be included in thedashboard. The user interface may include a diffusion device page thatincludes a list of diffusion devices at the location, with summarystatus and settings (e.g., volume setting, overall diffusion devicehealth, whether it's currently diffusing or not based on duty cycle,status of communications links, and the like). Icons for each diffusiondevice may be presented. A diffusion device status page may be adrill-down page that shows all device status data and settings, such asoverall diffuser health (good, or error+error code and description),diffuser volume/output-level setting (according to program), diffuservolume/output-level setting (according to setting by local customer,possibly overriding the program), liquid fragrance level (based on thesensor reading), time and date according to device clock, health ofcommunication links between various devices and the local server, whichfragrance is playing/being diffused in the diffuser, date and time oflast service, and the like. An edit diffusion device settings page maybe a page where a user can edit a diffusion device's settings and savethe new settings, including the on/off program settings, and thefragrance volume level.

A location control page may allow the user to increase or decrease theoverall output of all diffusion devices in the location. For example, analgorithm, such as a location control algorithm, may execute acalculation that translates a targeted fragrance value (also known as alocal output level) (e.g., between 0-100, between 0-10, etc.) in thelocation to actual device settings for each diffusion device. The userwould adjust only the overall location volume setting, not the settingsfor each diffusion device. The NOC would then calculate and adjust thesettings for each diffusion device needed to achieve the overalllocation volume setting. The local output level represents the outputlevel aggregated across all diffusers. The user interface may presentgraphical arrows for moving the output level up or down. The masterdiffusion device may adjust its own output level and the output level ofits slaves upward or downward, proportionately based on the new setting.If all diffuser settings were the same, the new settings will all be thesame, but if the diffusers had different output settings, the newsettings may be scaled based on each diffuser's original setting. As anexample, the current output level might be 70, based on 3 diffuserswhose output settings are 65, 70, and 75. If the user moves the outputlevel to 80, the new settings may be the original settings multiplied by(80−70)/70, resulting in settings of 74.28, 80, 85.71, respectively. Theabove calculations may be done by customer web services or the NOC andpushed to the individual diffusers.

The location control algorithm may include feedback from one or moresensors in the environment or onboard the diffusion device in making thecalculations, such as feedback from a Bluetooth/WiFi sensor (e.g. todetermine an occupancy), a different occupancy sensor, an altitudesensor, an airflow sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, amotion/occupancy/proximity sensor, a laser distance measure/digitallaser rangefinder, a particle sensor, an olfaction sensor/VOC sensor, animaging sensor/cameras, a scent concentration factor sensor, a clock, atimer, a calendar, a weather sensor, and the like. Modification orgeneration of a scent profile delivered by a network of scent diffuserdevices may be based on one or more sensed parameters, wherein modifyingthe scent profile is done by selection of or adjustment of the diffusionsettings for one or more available fragrances onboard one or morenetworked scent diffuser devices. The sensed parameter may be at leastone of room volume, room geometry, airflow, presence of odor-producingmaterials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow,altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2 sensor),proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrance level, temperature,humidity, time of day, season, weather event, detection of aVIP/specific individual entering the space (via smartphone ping or thelike), and the like. In embodiments, the scent profile is aneutralization of a malodor and the fragrance includes an odorneutralizer. Modification or generation of a scent profile delivered bya network of scent diffuser devices may be based on feedback fromautomated air sampling, wherein modifying is by selection of oradjustment of the diffusion settings for one or more of a plurality ofavailable scent modifiers onboard one or more networked scent diffuserdevices. A user may adjust an overall level of fragrance desired in thespace and the NOC or the master diffuser device may determine theadjustment required for the one or more devices, such as slave diffuserdevices. A master diffuser device may adjust its own output level andthe output level of its slaves upward or downward, proportionately basedon the new setting. In an embodiment, the automated air sampling may beautomated malodor sampling and identification, the scent profile may bea neutralization of a malodor and the scent modifier is a neutralizer orfragrance. Adjusting the settings may include selection of a best-fitneutralization/fragrance for dealing with the malodor and determination& execution of a dispersal profile for the neutralizer/fragrance that isneeded to neutralize or counteract the malodor.

In an embodiment, a method may include disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to a remote computer,receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for theenvironment at the remote computer, and based on the sensor data,controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from at leastone scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scentparameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device inresponse to the sensor data.

In an aspect, a method may include receiving at least one remotelysensed scent parameter for an environment at a remote computer 1402, andbased on the sensed scent parameter data, controlling, via the remotecomputer, diffusion of a scent from at least one scent diffusion devicein the environment to achieve a target value of the scent parameter,wherein controlling includes at least one of setting and adjusting anoperation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device inresponse to the sensed scent parameter data 1404. The sensed parametermay relate to at least one of room volume, room geometry, room area,airflow, presence of odor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinkingfactors, lighting, air flow, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy detection(IR, camera, CO2 sensor), proximity sensing, detected odor, fragrancelevel, temperature, humidity, time of day, season, weather event, anddetection of a VIP/specific individual entering the space (viasmartphone ping or the like). The scent diffusion device may include atleast one package containing fragrance oil or at least two packagescontaining fragrance oil. One scent diffusion device may be a masternode and the other scent diffusion devices may be slave nodes andcontrol instructions are sent from the remote computer through themaster node. At least one of the scent diffusion devices receivescontrol instructions from the remote computer and relays controlinstructions to at least one other scent diffusion device. In thisscenario, the scent diffusion devices may relay control instructions inseries, in a ring, in a mesh, in a star networking topology, or thelike. Each scent diffusion device may adjust its own control settingsbased on the activities of the other scent diffusion devices. The methodmay further include configuring the at least one scent diffusion deviceso that a device duty cycle does or does not occur simultaneously withinproximity to another scent diffusion device. The scent parameter mayrelate to a brand management goal. The method may further includedetermining the total number of scent diffusion devices to dispose inthe environment based on a room volume. The method may further includedetermining one or more locations to dispose the scent diffusion devicesin the environment based on a room volume. The operation parameter mayinclude at least one of a flow rate of the liquid, a duration of flow ofthe liquid, a variation in the flow rate of the liquid, an on/off statusof the diffusion device, a package from which to diffuse the liquid, anda switch to a different package from which to diffuse the liquid.

In an embodiment, a method may include sampling the air in anenvironment to determine the presence of a malodor according to anautomated sampling program, selecting at least one of a neutralizer anda fragrance for a network of scent diffusion devices to diffuse tocounter the malodor, and adjusting an operation parameter of the networkof scent diffusion devices in response to the malodor to diffuse theselected neutralizer or fragrance. Determining may involve measuring anelectrostatic charge. A user may adjust an overall level of odor desiredin the space and a scent diffusion device controller may determine theadjustment required for the one or more devices. Adjusting may involve amaster diffusion unit of the network of scent diffusion devicesadjusting its own output level and the output level of its slaves upwardor downward, proportionately based on the adjusted operation parameter.The method may further include repeating the step of sampling todetermine the continued presence of the malodor, and terminating theoperation of the network of scent diffusion devices if the malodor is nolonger present. Adjusting may involve altering a duty cycle of the scentdiffusion device. The method may further include selecting both of theneutralizer and the fragrance; and selecting a mix ratio for the two.

In an aspect, a method may include sampling the air in an environment todetermine the presence of a malodor according to an automated samplingprogram, selecting at least one of a neutralizer and a fragrance for ascent diffusion device to diffuse to counter the malodor, adjusting anoperation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to themalodor to diffuse the selected neutralizer or fragrance, andcommunicating the adjustment to other scent diffusion devices in anetwork of scent diffusion devices. Determining may include measuring anelectrostatic charge. Adjusting may include a master diffusion unit ofthe network of scent diffusion devices adjusting its own output leveland the output level of its slaves upward or downward, proportionatelybased on the adjusted operation parameter. The method may furtherinclude repeating the step of sampling to determine the continuedpresence of the malodor, and terminating the operation of the network ofscent diffusion devices if the malodor is no longer present. Adjustingmay include altering a duty cycle of the scent diffusion device. Themethod may further include selecting both of the neutralizer and thefragrance; and selecting a mix ratio for the two.

In an embodiment, a sensor may be used to meter the environment forfragrance levels to provide feedback to a network of scent diffusiondevices in order to continue generating a consistent scent profile in awide area. In embodiments, this feedback enables the scent managementsystem to operate in a closed loop. The sensor may be one or more of aparticle sensor, olfaction sensor/VOC sensor, a scent concentrationfactor (SCF) sensor, a sensor that measures a proxy/tag dispersed withthe fragrance, a sensor that measures an electrostatic charge, and thelike. For example, a scent may be mixed with a tracer for diffusion intoa space via one or more networked scent diffuser devices, wherein thetracer can be tracked throughout a wide area. Tracking may be used toconfirm a fragrance in use, confirm that a fragrance is reaching itsintended target, to determine the path of an individual who wasinitially in the space by detecting the tracer outside of the fragrancedarea, and the like. Various taggants may be used, such as odorlesstaggants. One taggant may be a perfluorocarbon tracer, such as taggantsdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,839.

In an aspect, a method may include sampling the air in an environment todetermine a fragrance level according to an automated sampling program,providing the fragrance level as feedback to a network of scentdiffusion devices, and adjusting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion devices in response to the feedback, wherein adjusting enablesthe continued generation of a consistent scent profile in theenvironment. Determining may involve measuring a proxy/tag dispersedwith the fragrance or an electrostatic charge. Adjusting may be byselection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of available scentmodifiers onboard one or more networked scent diffusion devices. A usermay adjust an overall level of fragrance desired in the space and ascent diffusion device controller may determine the adjustment requiredfor the one or more devices. Adjusting may involve a master diffusionunit of the network of scent diffusion devices adjusting its own outputlevel and the output level of its slaves upward or downward,proportionately based on the adjusted operation parameter. The samplingmay indicate the presence of a malodor and the operation parameter maybe adjusted to provide a scent neutralization. Sampling may indicate thepresence of a malodor and the operation parameter is adjusted toterminate diffusion of the scent.

In an embodiment, a method may include disposing an air samplingapparatus in an environment, drawing air to be sampled into the airsampling apparatus, and determining a level of a scent in the air usinga sensor of the air sampling apparatus. The method may further includeproviding the sensor data as feedback to a network of scent diffuserdevices in order to continue generating a consistent scent profile in awide area.

In an aspect, a method may include sampling the air in an environment todetermine a fragrance level according to an automated sampling program,providing the fragrance level as feedback to a scent diffusion device,adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device inresponse to the feedback, wherein adjusting enables the continuedgeneration of a consistent scent profile in the environment, andcommunicating the adjustment to other scent diffusion devices in anetwork of scent diffusion devices. Determining may include measuring aproxy/tag dispersed with the fragrance. Determining may includemeasuring an electrostatic charge. Adjusting may be byselection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of available scentmodifiers onboard the device. A user may adjust an overall level offragrance desired in the space and a scent diffusion device controllermay determine the adjustment required for the one or more devices.Adjusting may include a master diffusion unit of the network of scentdiffusion devices adjusting its own output level and the output level ofits slaves upward or downward, proportionately based on the adjustedoperation parameter. The sampling may indicate the presence of a malodorand the operation parameter may be adjusted to provide a scentneutralization. The sampling may indicate the presence of a malodor andthe operation parameter may be adjusted to terminate diffusion of thescent.

In an aspect, a method may include sampling the air in an environment todetermine a level of an airborne substance according to an automatedsampling program, providing the level as feedback to a scent diffusiondevice, adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion devicein response to the feedback, wherein adjusting enables the continuedgeneration of a consistent scent profile in the environment, andcommunicating the adjustment to other scent diffusion devices in anetwork of scent diffusion devices.

In an aspect, a method includes providing a sensed level of an airbornesubstance as feedback to a scent diffusion device 1502, adjusting anoperation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to thefeedback 1504, wherein adjusting enables the maintenance of a scentprofile in the environment, and communicating the adjustment to otherscent diffusion devices in a network of scent diffusion devices 1508.When the substance is a fragrance, determining involves measuring aproxy/tag dispersed with the fragrance. Determining may involvemeasuring an electrostatic charge. Adjusting may be byselection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of available scentmodifiers onboard the scent diffusion devices. A user may adjust anoverall level of fragrance desired in the space and a scent diffusiondevice controller may determine the adjustment required for the one ormore devices. Adjusting may involve a master diffusion unit of thenetwork of scent diffusion devices adjusting its own output level andthe output level of its slaves upward or downward, proportionately basedon the adjusted operation parameter. The sensed level may indicate thepresence of a malodor and the operation parameter may be adjusted toprovide a scent neutralization. The sensed level may indicate thepresence of a malodor and the operation parameter is adjusted toterminate diffusion of the scent. The sensed level may indicate thepresence of at least one of an allergen, a bacteria, a virus, a chemicaland an airborne pathogen, and the operation parameter may be adjusted tocounteract the presence.

In an aspect, a method may include disposing at least one sensor withinan environment that transmits sensor data to a remote computer 1604,receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for theenvironment at the remote computer 1602, based on the sensor data,controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from at leastone scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scentparameter 1608, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device inresponse to the sensor data, and relaying the adjustment from the scentdiffusion device to one or more other scent diffusion devices in anetwork. The sensor data may relate to at least one of room volume, roomgeometry, room area, airflow, presence of odor-producing materials,presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow, altitude, trafficflow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2 sensor), proximity sensing,detected odor, fragrance level, temperature, humidity, time of day,season, weather event, and detection of a VIP/specific individualentering the space (via smartphone ping or the like). The scentdiffusion device may include at least one package containing fragranceoil. The scent diffusion device may include at least two packagescontaining fragrance oil. One scent diffusion device may be a masternode and the other scent diffusion devices are slave nodes and receivecontrol instructions from the remote computer through the master node.The scent diffusion devices may relay control instructions in series, ina ring, in a mesh, or in a star networking topology. Each scentdiffusion device can adjust its own control settings based on theactivities of the other scent diffusion devices. The method may furtherinclude configuring the at least one scent diffusion device so that adevice duty cycle does or does not occur simultaneously within proximityto another scent diffusion device. The scent parameter may relate to abrand management goal. The method may further include determining thetotal number of scent diffusion devices to dispose in the environmentbased on a room volume. The method may further include determining oneor more locations to dispose the scent diffusion devices in theenvironment based on a room volume. The operation parameter may includeat least one of a flow rate of the liquid, a duration of flow of theliquid, a variation in the flow rate of the liquid, an on/off status ofthe diffusion device, a package from which to diffuse the liquid, and aswitch to a different package from which to diffuse the liquid.

In an aspect, a method may include disposing at least one sensor withinan environment to determine a level of an airborne substance accordingto an automated sampling program, providing the level as feedback to ascent diffusion device 1502, adjusting an operation parameter of thescent diffusion device in response to the feedback, wherein adjustingenables the maintenance of a scent profile in the environment 1504, andcommunicating the adjustment to other scent diffusion devices in anetwork of scent diffusion devices 1508. Adjusting may be byselection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of available scentmodifiers onboard the scent diffusion devices. A user may adjust anoverall level of a fragrance desired in the space and a scent diffusiondevice controller may determine the adjustment required for the one ormore devices. Adjusting may involve a master diffusion unit of thenetwork of scent diffusion devices adjusting its own output level andthe output level of its slaves upward or downward, proportionately basedon the adjusted operation parameter. The sensor may indicate thepresence of a malodor and the operation parameter may be adjusted toprovide scent neutralization. The sensor may indicate the presence of amalodor and the operation parameter is adjusted to terminate diffusionof the scent. The sensor may indicate the presence of at least one of anallergen, a bacteria, a virus, a chemical and an airborne pathogen, andthe operation parameter is adjusted to counteract the presence.

In an aspect, a user interface for a scent design and modeling systemproduced by computing equipment executing program code stored in anon-transitory storage medium may include a drag-and-drop interface toplace objects that represent a component of an environment being modeledin a relationship to one another to form an environment model, whereinat least one object is a source of a malodor, and a processor thatmodels the scent-impacting parameters of the objects in the environmentmodel and determines at least one of a placement in the environment forand a scent-diffusing parameter of one or more scent diffusion devices.

In an embodiment, a method for confirming a scent diffusion may includemixing a known amount of a tag with a known amount of scent fordiffusion, diffusing the scent and tag mixture with one or morenetworked scent diffuser devices in to an environment, sampling the airin the environment and measuring the amount of the tag in the sample,and calculating the amount of scent in the sample based on the measuredamount of tag. The tag may be odorless, a perfluorocarbon, or some othertag.

In an embodiment, the diffusion devices and the control settings may beconfigured based on an HVAC system tonnage, such as by using industryHVAC guidelines from ASHRAE. In an embodiment, the diffusion devices andthe control settings may be configured based on an area of a space or alinear distance between a source of the scent and a targeted area oraudience.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing one or more scent diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, taking information about an HVAC system in the environment tothe remote computer, taking at least one scent parameter for scenting anenvironment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, at least one of the scent diffusion devices to achieve thescent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of the scent diffusion device based on theinformation about the HVAC system. The information may be a tonnage ofthe HVAC system. The information may include at least one of indoortemperature, outside air temperature, thermostat schedule, energyconsumption, historical operation parameters, vacant room detectioncapability, occupied room detection capability, vent placement, ductsize, fan speed, and maintenance status.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing a plurality of diffusion devices within an environment,wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility thatenables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a local areanetwork control device. The local area network control device isnetworked to each of the plurality of scent diffusion devices. The localarea network control device receives communications from and distributescontrol instructions to the plurality of scent diffusion devices. AnHVAC system controller may be networked to the local area networkcontrol device, wherein the HVAC system transmits data to the local areanetwork control device regarding at least one parameter of the HVACsystem. The local area network control device receives at least onescent parameter for scenting an environment and controls the diffusionof a scent from at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devicesto achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting oradjusting an operation parameter of one or more of the scent diffusiondevices in response to the data from the HVAC system.

Alternatively, a building system controller may be networked to thelocal area network control device, wherein the building systemcontroller transmits data to the local area network control deviceregarding at least one parameter of the building system. Controlling theplurality of scent diffusion devices by the local area network controldevice to achieve the scent parameter includes setting or adjusting anoperation parameter of one or more of the scent diffusion devices inresponse to the data from the building system. Data from the buildingsystem may include at least one of a number of people entering andexiting the building, planned use of a space, planned occupancy of aspace, elevator use, escalator use, power use, lighting use, andplumbing use.

In an embodiment, the diffusion devices and the control settings may beconfigured based on a brand management goal as represented by a targetedscent concentration goal, (e.g. subtle scent, average scent, densescent), an SCF, an index of consumer behavior, a CPM, a sales lift, orthe like following protocols that leverage microcontroller devices andremote management via a NOC. To determine if the space complies with thebrand management goal, a scent concentration factor may be measured orobtained such as by an electronic nose or a human nose.

In an embodiment, the initial settings for a diffusion device, adjustingthe control settings throughout operation of the diffusion device, andlocation of the diffusion devices within the space are all distinctaspects of scent network configuration and control.

In embodiments, the SCF is a normalized index of scent. In otherembodiments, the SCF may have units of scent concentration, such as ppm.The SCF, optionally along with other factors, such as one or more ofroom volume, room geometry, if the space is shared, airflow, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,temperature, humidity, air flow, altitude, traffic flow, sounds, time ofday, season, weather event, occupancy (e.g. by IR, camera), detection ofa VIP/specific individual (e.g. Bluetooth/WiFi), proximity of objects tothe diffusion devices, service cycle, position in a service cycle, andinventory of particular “base,” “mid-” and “high” notes in a chord maybe used in producing a consistent, precise fragrance profile or scentbrand impression over time in an environment. The fragrance profile maybe a fragrance chord that includes one or more of a base note, mid note,and high note. Producing the consistent fragrance profile may includeadjusting a setting of the fragrance diffusion at one or more diffusiondevices in an environment. The SCF may be measured periodically overtime to ensure that it is within the parameters of a brand impression.Diffusion devices in the environment may be programmed to diffuse scentsat different rates in order to provide the desired SCF in theenvironment.

In an embodiment, an SCF sensor may be used to monitor an SCF in anenvironment. The sensor may be standalone, such as in a wall-mounteddevice that also displays the setting, or integrated with a diffusiondevice. In embodiments, the wall-mounted device may also be a controllerfor the diffusion devices. The SCF sensor may sense an odorless markerdiffused with the fragrance. The SCF sensor may be a particle sensor.The SCF sensor may be a machine olfaction sensor or a VOC (volatileorganic compounds) sensor. The sensor may be an attachment to atablet/smartphone. The SCF sensor may monitor particles by anelectrostatic mechanism. The SCF sensor may operate by a radioactivemechanism to evaluate the presence of a solid object in the air.

In an embodiment, a method of calculating a scent concentration factormay include diffusing a scent into an environment at a knownconcentration, determining a measurable impact of the scent at the knownconcentration, repeating the steps of diffusing and determining for aplurality of scent concentrations in the environment, and correlatingthe known concentrations of scent with the measured impact of the scentat each concentration to determine a normalized index of scent.Determining may involve measuring a component of the scent, an odorlessmarker diffused with the scent, particles, a concentration of volatileorganic compounds, and the like.

In an embodiment, an application controlling the device may be placedinto a survey mode. For example, an individual or customer site may bedefined as a local node in the survey. The survey may take users of theapplication through a process to calibrate the scent level, such as byfollowing a programmed logic, a set of rules, a decision tree, or thelike.

The scent management system for a remote-controlled, network of widearea scent diffusion devices may be directed to achieving a functionalbenefit. The functional benefit may be one or more of generating amemorable brand impression, stress reduction, appetite inducement,excitation, attraction inducing, calming, metabolism or insulinimpacting, pharmacological, therapeutic, aromacological, psychological,increasing dwell time of a user in a space, and the like. The functionalbenefit may be provided by the managed diffusion of one or more of astress-reducing fragrance, appetite inducing fragrance, excitingfragrance, attraction-inducing fragrances, a therapeutic fragrance, ametabolic-impacting scent, and an aromatherapy fragrance or blend offragrances.

In an embodiment, a method of managing scent in an environment mayinclude disposing at least one scent diffusion device within anenvironment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, processing the sensor data to determine a condition of one ormore people in the environment, and based on the sensor data,controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from a sourceof the scent in fluid communication with the at least one scentdiffusion device to achieve a functional benefit with respect to thecondition. Controlling may include setting or adjusting an operationparameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to thesensor data. The sensor may include at least one of a microphone, animaging sensor, a biometric sensor, a hormone sensor, and an olfactorysensor. In an example, the sensor may be an imaging sensor, the sensordata relates to a facial recognition, the condition is a negativecondition, and the scent is selected to achieve the functional benefitof reducing the negative condition. In an example, the sensor may be amicrophone, the sensor data relates to a volume of a crowd, thecondition is an unexcited tone, and the scent is selected to achieve thefunctional benefit of exciting the crowd. In one example, the conditionmay be a negative condition, such as aggression, anger, agitation,hysteria, antagonistic, belligerent, bullying, chaos, conflict, fright,rage, misery, and tantrum. The functional benefit may be at least one ofreinforcing the negative condition and modifying the negative condition.Modifying may be at least one of reducing the negative condition andaugmenting the negative condition. In another example, the condition maybe at least one of a neutral condition and a positive condition. Thefunctional benefit may be at least one of reinforcing the condition andmodifying the condition. Modifying may be at least one of reducing thecondition and augmenting the condition.

In an embodiment, a method of managing scent in an environment mayinclude disposing at least one scent diffusion device within anenvironment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, processing the sensor data, and based on the sensor data,controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from a sourceof the scent in fluid communication with the at least one scentdiffusion device to achieve a functional benefit. In one example, thesensor is a clock, and the functional benefit is to simultaneously bringa group of people to at least one of high alert, calm, and sleep. In oneexample, the sensor determines an occupancy, and the functional benefitis the dispersion of people occupying a space.

In an embodiment, a method of managing scent in an environment mayinclude disposing at least one scent diffusion device within anenvironment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, receiving data regarding theenvironment or an adjacent environment at the remote computer, based onthe data, controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scentfrom a source of the scent in fluid communication with the at least onescent diffusion device to achieve a functional benefit. In an example,the data relates to an allergen map of the environment, and thefunctional benefit is to counteract the effects of the allergens. Thescent may include charged particles.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment,wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, processing the sensor data to determine a condition of one ormore people in the environment, triggering an alert based on thecondition and transmitting the alert to a user, and enabling the user tocontrol, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from a source ofthe scent in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusiondevice to achieve a functional benefit with respect to the condition.Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of theat least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data. Thesensor may include at least one of a microphone, an imaging sensor, abiometric sensor, a hormone sensor, and an olfactory sensor. In someembodiments, the condition is a negative condition, such as aggression,anger, agitation, hysteria, antagonistic, belligerent, bullying, chaos,conflict, fright, rage, misery, and tantrum. The functional benefit maybe at least one of reinforcing the negative condition and modifying thenegative condition. Modifying may be at least one of reducing thenegative condition and augmenting the negative condition. In someembodiments, the condition may be at least one of a neutral conditionand a positive condition. The functional benefit may be at least one ofreinforcing the condition and modifying the condition, wherein modifyingmay be at least one of reducing the condition and augmenting thecondition. In an example, the sensor may be an imaging sensor, thesensor data relates to facial recognition, the condition is a negativecondition, and the scent may be selected to achieve the functionalbenefit of reducing the negative condition. In another example, thesensor is a microphone, the sensor data relates to a volume of a crowd,the condition is an unexcited tone, and the scent is selected to achievethe functional benefit of exciting the crowd.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment,wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, processing the sensor data, triggering an alert based on thesensor data and transmitting the alert to a user, and enabling the userto control, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from a sourceof the scent in fluid communication with the at least one scentdiffusion device to achieve a functional benefit with respect to thecondition. The sensor may be a clock, and the functional benefit is tosimultaneously bring a group of people to at least one of high alert,calm, and sleep. The sensor may determine occupancy, and the functionalbenefit is the dispersion of people occupying a space.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment,wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, receiving data regarding theenvironment or an adjacent environment at the remote computer,triggering an alert based on the data and transmitting the alert to auser, and enabling the user to control, via the remote computer,diffusion of a scent from a source of the scent in fluid communicationwith the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve a functionalbenefit with respect to the condition. The data relates to an allergenmap of the environment, and the functional benefit is to counteract theeffects of the allergens. The scent may include charged particles.

In an aspect, a method of scent casting in an environment, may includedisposing a scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein thescent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablestransmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer,determining a distance from the scent diffusion device to a scent targetlocation, gathering data related to the environment or people in theenvironment and transmitting the data to the remote computer, receiving,at the remote computer, at least one functional benefit desired for thescent target location and the data, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, the scent diffusion device to achieve the functional benefit,wherein controlling includes setting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion device based on the determined distance, the data, and thefunctional benefit. The data may relate to at least one of sound, animage, a biometric feature, a hormone, an aroma, room volume, roomgeometry, room area, airflow, presence of odor-producing materials,presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, air flow, altitude, trafficflow, occupancy detection (IR, camera, CO2 sensor), proximity sensing,detected odor, fragrance level, temperature, humidity, time of day,season, weather event, and detection of a VIP/specific individualentering the space (via smartphone ping or the like). The data may beprocessed to reveal the mood of a group of people. The mood may be atleast one of aggression, anger, agitation, hysteria, antagonistic,belligerent, bullying, chaos, conflict, fright, rage, misery, andtantrum. The functional benefit may be at least one of reinforcing themood and modifying the mood. Modifying may be at least one of reducingthe mood and augmenting the mood.

In an example, the data may be a facial recognition, the mood is anegative mood, and the scent may be selected to achieve the functionalbenefit of reducing the negative mood. The data may relate to a volumeof a crowd, the mood is unexcited, and the scent is selected to achievethe functional benefit of exciting the crowd. The scent target locationmay be a person. The functional benefit may be to attract people ordisperse people. The method may further include emitting at least one ofa light and a sound towards the scent target location or dispersing anactive agent, wherein the agent is active by at least one of contact,taste, and inhalation.

The scent management system may monitor an environment for an indicatorthat a service is being delivered, and when an indicator is received,the system may cause a change at one or more scent diffusion devices,such as a scent to be diffused or a scent diffusion to be terminated,wherein the change is intended to be a companion or complement to theservice. The service may include at least one of lighting, music beingplayed, a fountain, a displayed item, the arrival of one or more people,a food service or any other service being deployed in the environment.The indicator may be through a manual input or a detection by anenvironmental sensor. For example, if food is being served in a smallarea, a complementary service may be to deliver a scent in a broaderarea.

In an aspect, a method for managing scent in an environment may includedisposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within the environment,wherein the scent diffusion devices comprise a communications facilitythat enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remotecomputer, monitoring the environment for an indicator that a service isbeing delivered, and when the indicator is received, controlling, viathe remote computer, at least one of the plurality of scent diffusiondevices to emit a scent that is intended to be a companion to theservice.

In an aspect, a method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment,wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, disposing at least one sensorwithin the environment that transmits sensor data to the remotecomputer, monitoring an environment via the at least one sensor for anindicator that a service is being delivered, and when the indicator isreceived, as determined by the sensor data, controlling, via the remotecomputer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluidcommunication with the at least one scent diffusion device to emit ascent that is intended to be a companion to the service, whereincontrolling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of theat least one scent diffusion device. A method of managing a scent tocomplement a service may include providing a scheduling facility toindicate when a service is scheduled to occur in an environment,selecting a scent to be diffused in the environment that complements thescheduled service, and triggering a diffusion of the scent in accordancewith the scheduled service. In certain embodiments, the complement tothe scheduled service is to have an unscented environment. In theseembodiments, diffusion would be triggered to cease, or in otherembodiments, diffusion of a scent would cease followed by diffusion ofan odor neutralizing agent. In embodiments, it is not diffusion of aliquid but diffusion of a gas.

A scent to complement a service may be scheduled. A method of managing ascent to complement a service, may include providing a schedulingfacility to indicate when a service is scheduled to occur in anenvironment and allowing a user to select a scent to be diffused in theenvironment that complements the scheduled service, and when the eventoccurs, launching a survey to be given to participants of the scheduledservice, wherein the survey is used to calculate a metric for a brandimpression.

Individual diffuser devices may communicate with one another in order todeliver a service-complementing scent. A method may include monitoringan environment for an indicator that a service is being delivered, whenthe indicator is received, and using device-to-device communicationprotocols, causing a network of scent diffusion devices to coordinatedelivery of a scent to the environment that is intended to be acompanion to the service, monitoring a traffic sensor in the environmentto determine a number of scent impressions delivered by the network ofscent diffusion devices, and transmitting the number to a computer.

In an aspect, a method may include monitoring an environment for anindicator that a service is being delivered, when the indicator isreceived, causing a network of scent diffusion devices to coordinatedelivery of a scent to the environment that is intended to be acompanion to the service, monitoring a traffic sensor in the environmentto determine a number of scent impressions delivered by the network ofscent diffusion devices, and transmitting the number to a computer,wherein the number enables a third party to perform a brand managementtask.

In an embodiment, a networked scent diffusion device may be integratedwith an object to provide a brand impression and/or coordinate with afunction of the object. For example, the object may be a digitalpainting that rotates between various scenes, such as lilacs, then atropical waterfall, then gardenias, and so on. An associated orintegrated diffusion device may diffuse the scent of lilacs tocoordinate with the digital painting when lilacs are being displayedthen switch to a tropical aroma when the waterfall is shown, and so on.In embodiments, the object may be lighting, a light wall, a waterfallwall, a fountain, a speaker, a display screen, an object deliveringvisual effects, an indoor garden, and the like.

In an embodiment, a method of a multi-sensory experience may includedisposing an object with an integrated networked scent diffusion devicein an environment, monitoring a function of the object, and diffusingscent from the device in coordination with the function of the object.The object may be at least one of a digital painting, lighting, a lightwall, a waterfall wall, a fountain, a speaker, a display screen, anobject delivering visual effects, and an indoor garden. Alternatively,the method may include disposing an object with an integrated networkedscent diffusion device in an environment, wherein scent diffusion fromthe device is coordinated with a function of the object, andcommunicating with a mobile device in the environment to engage themobile device user with respect to one or more of the object and thescent diffusion.

In an embodiment, one or more networked scent diffuser devices may becontrolled via a combination of different web applications (e.g.,Facebook, Evernote, Weather, iOS Location, Dropbox, Foursquare, etc.)through a conditional command to perform a scent function upon reachinga condition or trigger indicated by the conditional command. Forexample, the conditional statement may be that if an iOS Locationindicates that a particular user is within a pre-determined distancefrom the network of diffusion devices, the devices should be triggeredto turn on. In another example, if a Weather application indicates itwill be snowing in the afternoon, a wintertime fragrance may bediffused. In an embodiment, a method of conditionally commanding anetworked scent diffuser may include setting a condition for thediffuser using a remote computer, determining when the condition hasbeen met, and controlling the diffuser to perform an operation when thecondition has been met. In an embodiment, a method of conditionallycommanding a networked scent diffuser with at least two packages mayinclude setting a condition for the diffuser using a remote computer,determining when the condition has been met, and controlling thediffuser to switch between the at least two packages when the conditionhas been met.

In an embodiment, a networked scent diffuser device may be controlled byan application to emit a scent in coordination with an electronic story.The application controlling the electronic story may also control thediffusion device. For example, the electronic story may be about a bakermaking different pies and when a scene for baking a blueberry pie isdisplayed by the application, the application may control the diffusiondevice to diffuse a blueberry scent. In an embodiment, the scentdiffuser device may be integrated with a networked LED light. Continuingwith the example, when a scene for baking a blueberry pie is displayedby the application, the application may control the diffusion device todiffuse a blueberry scent and may cause blue light to be emitted by theLED light. In an embodiment, a method of coordinating scent with anelectronic story may include disposing an object with an integratednetworked scent diffusion device in an environment and connecting it toa network, connecting a device that hosts an electronic story to thenetwork, and programming the scent diffusion device to diffuse a scentin coordination with the electronic story.

In an embodiment, a chair with an integrated scent diffusion device mayprovide coordinated playlists of one or more of scent, music, andlighting. The chair may be a desk chair, seating in an automobile,airline seating, restaurant seating, lobby seating, public benches, andthe like. In an embodiment, the chair may include a seat, an integratedscent diffusion device, and a processor to control the device to providea scent diffusion. The chair may further include at least one of aspeaker and lighting, and wherein the processor controls the device andthe at least one speaker or lighting in a coordinated playlist of atleast one of scent, music, and lighting. The seat may be at least one ofa desk chair, seating in an automobile, airline seating, restaurantseating, lobby seating, and a public bench.

In an embodiment a candle and a scent diffusion device may be managed aspart of the same scent management system, wherein the candle may beextinguished and ignited in response to network signals and/or ameasured SCF. A method of managing scent in an environment may includedisposing at least one candle within an environment, receiving at leastone target value of a scent parameter for the environment at a remotecomputer, and based on the target value, controlling, via the remotecomputer, a device to either extinguish or ignite the candle to achievethe target value of the scent parameter. Controlling may involvereceiving data from a sensor disposed in the environment to determine alevel of the scent in the environment.

In embodiments, the diffusion device may be a consumer level scentdiffuser and may not be networked to other scent diffusion devices ormay be networked on a home-level local network.

In an embodiment, an evaluation kit may be used to determine what typeof fragrance is to be used in the diffusion devices.

In an embodiment, a DMX protocol board may be useful for controlling oneor more of a light, audio and scent diffusion.

In an embodiment, a scent environment computer-based design environmentmay operate on a data structure that describes an environment to befragranced, wherein the data structure is used to calculate scent volumelevels generated by one or more diffusers in an environment and optimizethe installation of one or more diffusion devices, such as based onvarious environmental factors, such as the size of the environment, theshape of the environment, objects and materials in the environment, airflow within the environment, equipment in the environment (includingfans, hoods, vents, ducts, conduits, HVAC elements, and the like). Thedesign environment and environment data structure may be used todetermine one or more of installation of new devices and re-programmingof device operation when the aggregate scent volume desired is changed.The data structure may be used with an extrapolation algorithm toestablish and manage an aggregate scent level. The design environmentmay indicate fragrance zones and fragrance-free zones. The datastructure may include sensed environmental parameters.

In an embodiment, a scent environment design interface may be a userinterface depicting the data structure for describing an environment,wherein the user interface is useful for designing a deployment andprogramming of one or more networked scent diffuser devices. The userinterface may colorimetrically depict scent plumes/zones andairflow/diffusion areas. The user interface may show consumer pathways(optionally with timing) to ensure multiple exposures with afragrance-free zone in between each exposure. The user interface mayallow designers to drag and drop scent zones based on an HVAC/buildingblueprint to optimize scent vectors/scent device settings. The datastructure may include information about an environment, including ascent neutralizing profile of the environment, and the user interfacemay allow users to access a profile of fragrances that wouldnevertheless be effective in fragrancing the environment (e.g. based onparticle size, concentration of certain fragrance notes, etc.) given thescent neutralizing profile. FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary output 500 fromthe design interface showing the installation of diffusion devices shownas triangles. In an aspect, a method of implementing acomputer-implemented automated scent environment design and modelingsystem may include defining objects that represent a component of anenvironment being modeled, wherein at least one parameter of at leastone of the objects impacts the diffusion of scent within theenvironment, assembling an environment model utilizing the objects,inputting data to the environment model related to one or more sensorsin the environment, using at least one data structure representing atleast one parameter of a scent diffusion device, and displayinginformation about diffusion of scent in the environment based on theenvironment model, the defined objects, and at least one parameter ofthe at least one scent diffusion device. Determining a placement of oneor more scent diffusion devices in the environment may be based on theone or more scent impression goals, the environment model and the data.The objects may be represented in a three-dimensional relationship. Themethod may further include allowing a user to define one or more scentimpression goals for the environment. The method may further includerecommending a placement of one or more scent diffusion devices in theenvironment based on the one or more scent impression goals and theenvironment model. The method may further include inputting data to theenvironment model related to one or more sensors in the environment. Theinformation may be displayed in a graphical user interface that showsthe physical dimensions of the environment and the objects in theenvironment. The display may be a 3D display. The display may be a 3Doverhead view of the environment. The object may be at least one of awindow, a skylight, a wall, a floor, a door, a ceiling, a fireplace,furniture, plants, an HVAC system and its elements, fans, hoods, vents,ducts, conduits, a fragrance-free zone, a fragrance zone, a consumerpathway, and the like. The data may relate to at least one of roomvolume, room geometry, airflow, HVAC systems, presence of odor-producingmaterials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting, temperature,humidity, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy, time of day, and the like.The objects may be customized based upon the inputted scent impressiongoal. For example, furniture or plants may be removed if they are foundto interfere with a scent plume. Assembling the environment model mayinclude using a drag-and-drop interface to place the objects in thethree-dimensional relationship. The scent impression goal may includeplanning for fragrance zones and fragrance-free zones. The environmentmodel may colorimetrically depict scent plumes/zones andairflow/diffusion areas. The environment model may depict consumerpathways (optionally with timing) to ensure multiple exposures with afragrance-free zone in between. The method may further includesuggesting a profile of fragrances that would be effective in theenvironment given data relating to a scent neutralizing profile of theenvironment. An effective fragrance may be identified based on one ormore of a particle size and a scent concentration factor. Theenvironment model may be used to calculate scent volume levels generatedby one or more diffusers in the environment. The environment model maybe used in re-programming device operation when the aggregate scentvolume desired is changed.

In an aspect, a method of implementing a computer-implemented automatedscent environment design and modeling system may include definingobjects that represent a component of an environment being modeled,wherein at least one parameter of at least one of the objects impactsthe diffusion of scent within the environment, assembling an environmentmodel utilizing the objects, inputting data to the environment modelrelated to one or more sensors in the environment, using at least onedata structure representing at least one parameter of a network of scentdiffusion devices, and displaying information about diffusion of scentin the environment based on the environment model, the defined objects,and at least one parameter of the network of scent diffusion devices.

In an aspect, a user interface produced by computing equipment executingprogram code stored in a non-transitory storage medium may be aninterface for a scent design and modeling system. The user interface mayinclude a drag-and-drop interface to place objects that represent acomponent of an environment being modeled in a relationship to oneanother to form an environment model, wherein at least one parameter ofat least one of the objects impacts the diffusion of scent within theenvironment, and a processor that models the scent-impacting parametersof the objects in the environment model and determines at least one of aplacement in the environment for and a scent-diffusing parameter of oneor more scent diffusion devices. The environment model further includesone or more scent impression goals. The processor further models thescent impression goals for the environment model to determine at leastone of a placement in the environment for and a scent-diffusingparameter of one or more scent diffusion devices. The environment modelfurther includes data related to one or more sensors in the environment.The environment model may be displayed in a graphical user interfacethat shows the physical dimensions of the environment and the objects inthe environment. The display may be a 3D display. The display may be a3D overhead view of the environment. The drag and drop interface enablesdragging and dropping scent zones based on an HVAC/building blueprint tooptimize scent vectors/scent device settings. The object may be at leastone of a window, a skylight, a wall, a floor, a door, a ceiling, afireplace, furniture, plants, an HVAC system and its elements, fans,hoods, vents, ducts, conduits, a fragrance-free zone, a fragrance zone,a consumer pathway, and the like. The data may relate to at least one ofroom volume, room geometry, airflow, HVAC systems, presence ofodor-producing materials, presence of odor-sinking factors, lighting,temperature, humidity, altitude, traffic flow, occupancy, time of day,and the like. The objects can be customized based upon the inputtedscent impression goal. The relationship may be a three-dimensionalrelationship. The object may be a source of a malodor.

For example, in order to achieve a particular fragrance level in aspace, it may be determined that a particular number of devices must beused and they should be positioned at particular points in the room suchthat when they are diffusing, there aggregate diffusion achieves thefragrance level. In embodiments, the settings for each of the devicesmay need to be set differently in order to achieve the fragrance level.For example, if a fragrance level of 7 is desired at a particular scenttarget location in the room, the two closest scent devices to the targetmay be set to 7 but the device further away may be set to 10.

A user interface for a scent design and modeling system produced bycomputing equipment executing program code stored in a non-transitorystorage medium may include a drag-and-drop interface to place objectsthat represent a component of an environment being modeled in arelationship to one another to form an environment model, wherein atleast one parameter of at least one of the objects impacts the diffusionof scent within the environment, and a processor that models thescent-impacting parameters of the objects in the environment model anddetermines at least one of a placement in the environment for and ascent-diffusing parameter of a network of scent diffusion devices.

In an embodiment, a method of implementing an automated scentenvironment design and modeling system may include accessing anenvironment model for an environment to be scented, wherein the modelincludes one or more networked scent diffusion devices, indicating aservice presented in the environment, and programming a scent diffusionprofile for the one or more networked scent diffusion devices tocomplement the service.

In an embodiment, a method for operating networked scent diffusiondevices in an environment to achieve a functional benefit may includeaccessing an environment model for the environment, wherein the modelincludes one or more networked scent diffusion devices and programming ascent diffusion profile for the environment to be executed by one ormore of the networked scent diffusion devices to achieve the functionalbenefit.

In an embodiment, a scent media-based advertising platform may be usedby advertisers to bid upon scent space. The scent space may be one ormore of an elevator, an atrium, a food court, a walkway, a display area,a kiosk, an information kiosk, a planter, a restroom, and the like. Theadvertising platform may further be a mixed-media advertising platform,enabling advertisers to purchase scent space as well as print/imagespace, manage an ad campaign including blocking other scent-basedadvertisers, and the like. The scent-based advertising space may includeone or more networked scent diffuser devices.

In an embodiment, a method of operating a scent media-based advertisingplatform may include disposing at least one scent diffusion device in ascent-based advertising space, wherein the at least one scent diffusiondevice comprises a communications facility that enables transmittingsignals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, providing anscent-media based advertising instruction to the remote computer, andcontrolling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a scent from a sourceof the scent in fluid communication with the at least one scentdiffusion device in accordance with the advertising instruction.Scent-based advertising space may be bid upon by one or moreadvertisers. The scent space may be at least one of an elevator, anatrium, a food court, a walkway, a display area, a kiosk, an informationkiosk, a planter, and a restroom. The method may further includeenabling advertisers to purchase scent space as well as print/imagespace. The method may further include enabling advertisers to manage ascent media-based ad campaign including blocking other scent-basedadvertisers.

In an embodiment, a method of scent casting in an environment mayinclude disposing a scent diffusion device within an environment at afirst location, wherein the scent diffusion device comprises acommunications facility that enables transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from a remote computer, defining a plurality of scenttarget locations between the first location and a second location,disposing additional scent diffusion devices within the environment toprovide scent at the scent target locations, receiving, at the remotecomputer, at least one scent parameter for at least one of the firstlocation and the scent target locations, and controlling, via the remotecomputer, the scent diffusion device to achieve the scent parameter atat least one of the first location and the scent target locations,wherein controlling includes setting an operation parameter of the scentdiffusion device based on at least the scent parameter. The method mayfurther include determining a distance from the scent diffusion devicesto the scent target locations, wherein controlling further includessetting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion devices based onthe determined distance. The method may further include determiningsales lift by comparing the purchase behavior of a group of participantsexposed to the scent in the environment with a group of participants ina comparable environment who were not exposed to the scent. The firstlocation may be a display at an entrance to the environment, the secondlocation may be a retail location, and the scent target locations may bepoints along a path from the environment entrance to the retaillocation.

In an embodiment, a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) application maybe used to determine CPM for a brand impression, wherein the brandimpression is exposure to a scent delivered by one or more managed,networked scent diffuser devices. The CPM application may receive sensorinformation about the actual delivery of the scent in the space. The CPMapplication may measure how many people were exposed to the scent, suchas by an occupancy sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and the like. TheCPM application may determine, such as through a matched panel, acontrolled experiment, or A/B testing, what people did when they wereexposed to the scent. The CPM application may enable measuring directfeedback from users, such as through a survey delivered from a networkedscent diffuser. The CPM application may determine sales lift bycomparing the purchase behavior, including transactions, dwell time, andthe like, of a group of participants exposed to a scent in a retailenvironment with a group of participants in a comparable retailenvironment who were not exposed to the scent. The scent exposure may befrom one or more networked scent diffuser devices. Purchase behavior maybe obtained by directly integrating the scent management system with apoint-of-sale or other in-store equipment. Purchase behavior informationmay be used to manage the SCF level used by a brand. For example, abrand may use one SCF in one location and another SCF in anotherlocation or at a different time at the same location. Purchase behaviorat the different SCF's can be compared to determine which SCF mosteffectively meets purchase behavior brand management goals.

In an embodiment, a method may include controlling a network of scentdiffusers to deliver a scent to at least one target location, disposinga sensor at the at least one target location to capture consumer trafficand movement data, calculating a metric for a brand impression based oncorrelating the data from the at least one target locations to the scentdelivery to determine an exposure to the scent, and aggregating thecalculated metrics for the target locations to demonstrate a behavioralimpact of the scent. The behavioral impact may be a consumer movement toa location due to the scent or a dwell time in a location.

In an embodiment, a point-of-sale device may include a motion sensorthat detects a presence in an environment and generates a signal, acommunications facility that enables transmitting the signal to andreceiving instructions from a remote computer, and a scent diffusiondevice that receives instructions from the remote computer to diffuse ascent when the signal is received. The device may include anenvironmental sensor that detects an environmental condition andgenerates an environmental signal to transmit to the remote computer.The remote computer may use the signal and the environmental signal togenerate the instructions. In an embodiment, a method of managing scentin an environment may include disposing at least one scent diffusiondevice within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusiondevice comprises a communications facility that enables transmittingsignals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, disposing atleast one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data tothe remote computer, monitoring an environment via the at least onesensor for an indicator, and when the indicator is received, asdetermined by the sensor data, controlling, via the remote computer,diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communicationwith the at least one scent diffusion device to emit a scent. Inembodiments, it is not diffusion of a liquid but diffusion of a gas.Controlling may include setting or adjusting an operation parameter ofthe at least one scent diffusion device. The sensor may be a motionsensor and the indicator is a motion. The sensors may be a motion sensorand an environmental sensor that detects an environmental condition, andthe indicators are a motion and an environmental signal.

In an aspect, a method may include calculating a metric for a brandimpression, wherein the brand impression metric is based on exposure toa scent delivered by one or more managed, networked scent diffusiondevices. The metric may be based on at least one of number of exposures,duration of exposures, and location of exposures. Determining mayinclude performing matched panel testing, A/B testing, or controlledtesting of a population exposed to the scent. Determining may includeobtaining feedback from a population exposed to the scent. The feedbackmay be through a survey delivered from the networked scent diffusiondevice.

In an aspect, a method may include determining sales lift by comparingthe purchase behavior of a group of participants exposed to a scent in aretail environment with a group of participants in a comparable retailenvironment who were not exposed to the scent, wherein the scentexposure is due to one or more networked scent diffuser devices in theretail environment under the control of a remote computer.

In an embodiment, a method may include controlling a network of scentdiffusers, using a remote computer, to deliver a scent to at least onetarget location, gathering sales data from at least one point-of-sale atthe at least one target location and transmitting the sales data to theremote computer, and calculating a sales lift based on correlating thesales data from the at least one target locations to the scent deliveryas compared to sales data from locations with no scent delivery.

In an embodiment, a networked scent diffuser device may serve as acommercial gateway for a consumer environment utilizing one or moreintegrated sensors to gather information from the consumer environment.The networked scent diffusion device may include a communicationsfacility that receives control signals from a network operations center,the control signals for controlling a scent diffusion from the scentdiffusion device in accordance with a scent impression goal and one ormore integrated sensors to gather information from a consumerenvironment in which the scent diffusion device is deployed. The sensormay be a traffic/occupancy sensor.

In an embodiment, a networked scent diffuser device may serve as acommercial gateway for a consumer environment utilizing a network tocommunicate data to a mobile device in the consumer environment forconsumer engagement. The networked scent diffusion device may include afirst communications facility that receives control signals from anetwork operations center, the control signals for controlling a scentdiffusion from the scent diffusion device in accordance with a scentimpression goal, and a second communications facility to communicatedata with a mobile device in the consumer environment. The communicationmay relate to a scent being diffused by the device. The commercialgateway allows a consumer in the consumer environment to control thescent diffuser device (e.g. via an app). The device may be controlled bya user in the consumer environment through one of the first or secondcommunications facility. The communication may be an offer.

In embodiments, the scent management system may be usefully deployed inhotels/hospitality (e.g. lobby, rooms, hallway, elevator/elevator shaft,spa), casinos/gaming (e.g. gaming floor, restaurants, OTB area, shoppingarea, restrooms, arcade), night club/bar, cruise lines, spa/fitness(e.g. sauna, swimming pool/associated areas), building/corporatecenters/commercial real estate, theaters/cinema, amusement,convention/expo, mall/retail (e.g. POS, walkways, restrooms,billboard/ad kiosk), warehouse stores, car showrooms/other showrooms,health care/senior living/dental (waiting room, testing facilities(stress reduction)), airport/transit (e.g. aircraft, restrooms, adkiosk), stadium/sports venues, schools, waste managementfacilities/trash collection areas, funereal, pet care/veterinary (e.g.pet store, animal shelters, livestock/slaughterhouse/husbandry), racetrack, factory, military, grocery, bank, online social gaming, and thelike.

The scent management system, including the diffusion devices, may beintegrated with other environment sensing/changing network appliances; akiosk, planter, or other fixed object in environment, a sound system,lighting, an HVAC system, a monitor (carbon monoxide, fire, etc.), andthe like.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid level monitor adapted to work with multiple liquid-containingcartridges. For example, one networked liquid level monitor may be usedfor a plurality of replaceable liquid cartridges. In embodiments,cartridges containing the same type of liquid may be switchable amongeach other. In embodiments, cartridges may be associated withheterogeneous liquid handling devices.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein may include amultiple (e.g., dual) kan-ban system with local automated switching(referred to in some cases herein as an auto-switching kan-ban). Suchembodiments may include local processing with auto-switching in a dualkan-ban liquid dispensing system.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include use of asignal from a multiple kan-ban, such as a switchover signal, as a signal(such as delivered over a network), to replace at least one container ofthe kan-ban. Such embodiments may be used for replacement/refillmanagement for liquid dispensing cartridges or other containers based onprocessing switchover data signals in dual cartridge liquid dispensingnetwork.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include thecapability to replace a container in a dual or multiple container liquiddispensing system. Such embodiments may include a replaceable containerfor liquid dispensing in a multiple bin (e.g., two-bin) kan-ban system.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a smartfilter. Such methods and systems may include determining the status of afilter of a liquid handling device and reporting on the status of thefilter to maintenance or other management facility that handles filterreplacement, which may be located at a remote location that communicateswith the smart filter via networked communications. In embodiments, suchmethods and systems may include measuring the pressure differential on afilter to determine if it is a clogged filter.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a hybridchamber for different types of cartridges. For example, a dual chamberfor cartridges may include capacity for high turn cartridges thatnormally need frequent replacement and for low turn cartridges thatdon't require frequent replacement.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkof liquid dispensers. Such embodiments may include managed, networkedliquid dispenser devices (adapted for various types of dispensingtechnology, including liquid dispensers, such as for beverages) formanaging liquid supply, availability, delivery and the like. Inembodiments, one such liquid dispenser device may be a master node, andother devices may be slave nodes, which may communicate to master nodevia a networking protocol, such as MiWi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or thelike. Such a device may include a LAN card and/or a WAN card foroperating in a master/slave mode and communicating locally and overlonger distances. For example, a device may be a Zigbee-type device, andin embodiments it may be a slave to a gateway or may be a gatewayitself. Embodiments may include wired or wireless devices, ones that cancommunicate with one another, and the like. Management of the devicesmay be remote or local. Communication may occur via a cloud platform.Devices may be standalone or integrated with or into another system.Devices may include a tampering proof enclosure, which may respond to aphysical key and/or a software-based key.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a wireless,networked liquid dispenser device, wherein the device communicates withone or more other such devices via a networking protocol for generatinga consistent liquid profile over a wide area, such as by ensuringconsistency of ingredients, temperature, pressure, or the like in thearea. In embodiments a networking protocol may be Zigbee, MiFi, DMX,ANT, or the like.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid dispenser device with a signal that alerts a user of a devicestate. In embodiments the state relates to a sensed liquid level.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include optimizingthe installation of a plurality of liquid dispenser devices by creatinga data structure describing an environment, wherein the data structureis used to calculate liquid volume requirements of one or moredispensers in an environment. In embodiments the data structure is usedto determine one or more of installation of new devices andre-programming of device operation when the aggregate liquid volumedesired is changed.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a userinterface depicting a data structure for describing an environmentuseful for designing a deployment and programming of one or morenetworked liquid dispenser devices, wherein the data structure includesplanning for zones in which liquid dispensers are located. Inembodiments the user interface colorimetrically depicts liquid levels.In embodiments the interface may include drag and drop liquid zonesbased on building blueprint to optimize device locations and settings.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a liquidlevel sensor for a networked liquid dispenser device that providesreal-time liquid levels and alerts for replacement, including in casesof unexpected readings. In embodiments a liquid level sensor comprises afloating magnet disposed within a track inside the liquid container,wherein as the liquid level changes, the floating magnet moves insidethe track; and at least one Hall effect sensor disposed outside thefragrance container, wherein when the Hall effect sensor sense themagnet, a switch is caused to move from a first state to a second state(e.g. a solenoid switch between liquid containers). In embodiments, asensor senses the presence of a vacuum or a threshold pressure/partialpressure. In embodiments, a camera is used to image a liquid level. Inembodiments, a system may trigger an alert based on the fact that thedevice is not outputting what it should (e.g., a liquid level, but alsooptionally performance of a pump, valve, hose, filter, dispenser, orother liquid-handling element).

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include anautomated switching system for a networked liquid dispenser devicehousing a plurality of liquid reservoirs to switch between reservoirsupon meeting a condition (e.g. a low level of liquid, a programmedswitchover, and/or an indicator from a FIFO process for utilizing thepackages in a replenishment process). In embodiments the switch is avalve. In embodiments the reservoirs hold different liquids that areused for blending.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid dispenser device with multiple liquid reservoirs for operation inmultiple configurations. In embodiments, two reservoirs house one liquidand two reservoirs house a second liquid so that each liquid canautomatically switch to a new reservoir when one becomes empty. In areservoir accepts a single use canister selected and installed by theuser (e.g. a cup or similar container holding a flavor or otheringredient). In embodiments the reservoir is a cartridge. In embodimentsthe reservoir is a bag, balloon, or membrane-based container.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include ones inwhich the liquid comes from a crystal or other non-liquid element.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a liquidcartridge for a networked liquid dispensing device with physicalfeatures for anti-tampering that prevent the cartridge from operatingproperly in a device not configured to accept the cartridge. Inembodiments the cartridge includes an RFID for identification. Inembodiments the RFID tag must be read correctly or the dispenser won'tdispense. In embodiments the anti-tampering features further enable analert to be sent over a network if the cartridge is removed (e.g.removed early, or removed in conflict with general instructions).

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid dispenser device, wherein the liquid device serves as acommercial gateway for a consumer environment utilizing one or moreintegrated sensors to gather information from the consumer environment.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid dispenser device, wherein the liquid device serves as acommercial gateway for a consumer environment utilizing a network tocommunicate data to a cellphone in the consumer environment for consumerengagement. In embodiments the communication relates to a liquid beingdispensed by the device. In embodiments, the commercial gateway allows aconsumer in the consumer environment to control the liquid dispenserdevice (e.g. via an app). In embodiments, the communication is an offer.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include monitoringan environment for an indicator that a service is being delivered,wherein when an indication is received, delivering a liquid that isintended to be a companion to the service. In embodiments the service isat least one of a lighting, music, fountain, displayed item, arrival ofone or more people. In embodiments a fountain pours soda and/or beveragethat is a “signature” of the service.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include automatedsampling of environmental data to provide feedback to a network ofliquid dispenser devices in order to manage the liquids. In embodiments,running out of liquid results in slowing down delivery (e.g., smallersquirts of hand soap).

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein includemodification of a liquid delivered by a network of liquid dispenserdevices based on feedback from automated sampling, wherein modifying isby selection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality of availableliquid modifiers onboard one or more networked liquid dispenser devices.In embodiments, a master dispenser unit adjusts its own output level andthe output level of its slaves upward or downward, proportionately basedon the new setting.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein includemodification of a liquid profile delivered by a network of liquiddispenser devices based on one or more sensed parameters, whereinmodifying is by selection/adjustment of one or more of a plurality ofavailable liquids onboard one or more networked liquid dispenserdevices.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a userinterface to review status of and manage liquid operations for one ormore networks of liquid dispenser devices, including receive data fromdevices, receive alerts, view/edit schedules and liquid profiles, viewone or more maps of liquid dispenser devices, provide alerts to replacecartridges, enable ordering of new cartridges, accept payments forcartridges, renew subscriptions to various services, sense system health(e.g. machine down alerts), change permissions for a user, initiate aticket and/or workflow, assign a service technician, add or remove adevice, and/or add or remove a customer, division, store or the like.The user interface can be for a smartphone/tablet app. The userinterface can be a configurable dashboard.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a liquidmedia-based advertising platform, wherein liquid dispensing space is bidupon by one or more advertisers. In embodiments the platform is furthera mixed-media advertising platform, enabling advertisers to purchaseliquid space as well as print/image space, manage an ad campaignincluding blocking other liquid-based advertisers, and the like. Inembodiments, the liquid-based advertising space comprises one or morenetworked liquid dispenser devices.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include determiningCPM for a brand impression, wherein the brand impression is exposure toa liquid delivered by one or more managed, networked liquid dispenserdevices. In embodiments the methods and systems measure and record whatwas delivered, how many people received it, what people did when theyreceived it (e.g., with A/B testing of liquid variants), and/or takefeedback from users, such as through a survey delivered from a networkedliquid dispenser.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include determiningsales lift by comparing the purchase behavior of a group of participantsexposed to a liquid in a retail environment with a group of participantsin a comparable retail environment who were not exposed to the liquid.In embodiments the liquid exposure is from one or more networked liquiddispenser devices.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a networkedliquid dispenser device integrated with an object to provide a brandimpression and/or coordinate with a function of the object. Inembodiments, signage changes as available liquids change.

In embodiments, methods and systems disclosed herein include a handhelddevice for controlling one or more networked liquid dispenser devices,such as a smart phone or tablet.

While only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made thereunto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in thefollowing claims. All patent applications and patents, both foreign anddomestic, and all other publications referenced herein are incorporatedherein in their entireties to the full extent permitted by law.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software, program codes,and/or instructions on a processor. The present disclosure may beimplemented as a method on the machine, as a system or apparatus as partof or in relation to the machine, or as a computer program productembodied in a computer readable medium executing on one or more of themachines. In embodiments, the processor may be part of a server, cloudserver, client, network infrastructure, mobile computing platform,stationary computing platform, or other computing platform. A processormay be any kind of computational or processing device capable ofexecuting program instructions, codes, binary instructions and the like.The processor may be or may include a signal processor, digitalprocessor, embedded processor, microprocessor or any variant such as aco-processor (math co-processor, graphic co-processor, communicationco-processor and the like) and the like that may directly or indirectlyfacilitate execution of program code or program instructions storedthereon. In addition, the processor may enable execution of multipleprograms, threads, and codes. The threads may be executed simultaneouslyto enhance the performance of the processor and to facilitatesimultaneous operations of the application. By way of implementation,methods, program codes, program instructions and the like describedherein may be implemented in one or more thread. The thread may spawnother threads that may have assigned priorities associated with them;the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any otherorder based on instructions provided in the program code. The processor,or any machine utilizing one, may include memory that stores methods,codes, instructions and programs as described herein and elsewhere. Theprocessor may access a storage medium through an interface that maystore methods, codes, and instructions as described herein andelsewhere. The storage medium associated with the processor for storingmethods, programs, codes, program instructions or other type ofinstructions capable of being executed by the computing or processingdevice may include but may not be limited to one or more of a CD-ROM,DVD, memory, hard disk, flash drive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed andperformance of a multiprocessor. In embodiments, the process may be adual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-levelmultiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores(called a die).

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software on a server,client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and/ornetworking hardware. The software program may be associated with aserver that may include a file server, print server, domain server,internet server, intranet server, cloud server, and other variants suchas secondary server, host server, distributed server and the like. Theserver may include one or more of memories, processors, computerreadable media, storage media, ports (physical and virtual),communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing otherservers, clients, machines, and devices through a wired or a wirelessmedium, and the like. The methods, programs, or codes as describedherein and elsewhere may be executed by the server. In addition, otherdevices required for execution of methods as described in thisapplication may be considered as a part of the infrastructure associatedwith the server. The methods and systems may employ a machine-to-machinenetwork.

The server may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers,social networks, and the like. Additionally, this coupling and/orconnection may facilitate remote execution of program across thenetwork. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitateparallel processing of a program or method at one or more locationwithout deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any ofthe devices attached to the server through an interface may include atleast one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, codeand/or instructions. A central repository may provide programinstructions to be executed on different devices. In thisimplementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium forprogram code, instructions, and programs.

The software program may be associated with a client that may include afile client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranetclient and other variants such as secondary client, host client,distributed client and the like. The client may include one or more ofmemories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports(physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable ofaccessing other clients, servers, machines, and devices through a wiredor a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs, or codes asdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by the client. Inaddition, other devices required for execution of methods as describedin this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructureassociated with the client.

The client may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe disclosure. In addition, any of the devices attached to the clientthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, applications, code and/or instructions. Acentral repository may provide program instructions to be executed ondifferent devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may actas a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure mayinclude elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs,firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routingdevices and other active and passive devices, modules and/or componentsas known in the art. The computing and/or non-computing device(s)associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from othercomponents, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM,ROM and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructionsdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of thenetwork infrastructural elements. The methods and systems describedherein may be adapted for use with any kind of private, community, orhybrid cloud computing network or cloud computing environment, includingthose which involve features of software as a service (SaaS), platformas a service (PaaS), and/or infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on a cellular network having multiplecells. The cellular network may either be frequency division multipleaccess (FDMA) networks or code division multiple access (CDMA) network.The cellular network may include mobile devices, cell sites, basestations, repeaters, antennas, towers, and the like. The cell networkmay be a GSM, GPRS, 3G, EVDO, mesh, or other networks types.

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobiledevices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones,mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers,electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices mayinclude, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flashmemory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more computing devices. Thecomputing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled toexecute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon.Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to executeinstructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices maycommunicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured toexecute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on apeer-to-peer network, mesh network, or other communications network. Theprogram code may be stored on the storage medium associated with theserver and executed by a computing device embedded within the server.The base station may include a computing device and a storage medium.The storage device may store program codes and instructions executed bythe computing devices associated with the base station.

The computer software, program codes, and/or instructions may be storedand/or accessed on machine readable media that may include: computercomponents, devices, and recording media that retain digital data usedfor computing for some interval of time; semiconductor storage known asrandom access memory (RAM); mass storage typically for more permanentstorage, such as optical discs, forms of magnetic storage like harddisks, tapes, drums, cards and other types; processor registers, cachememory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory; optical storage such asCD, DVD; removable media such as flash memory (e.g. USB sticks or keys),floppy disks, magnetic tape, paper tape, punch cards, standalone RAMdisks, Zip drives, removable mass storage, off-line, and the like; othercomputer memory such as dynamic memory, static memory, read/writestorage, mutable storage, read only, random access, sequential access,location addressable, file addressable, content addressable, networkattached storage, storage area network, bar codes, magnetic ink, and thelike.

The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/oror intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systemsdescribed herein may also transform data representing physical and/orintangible items from one state to another.

The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts andblock diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries betweenthe elements. However, according to software or hardware engineeringpractices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may beimplemented on machines through computer executable media having aprocessor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as amonolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or asmodules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, orany combination of these, and all such implementations may be within thescope of the present disclosure. Examples of such machines may include,but may not be limited to, personal digital assistants, laptops,personal computers, mobile phones, other handheld computing devices,medical equipment, wired or wireless communication devices, transducers,chips, calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets,electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computingdevices, networking equipment, servers, routers and the like.Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagramsor any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capableof executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawingsand descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems,no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the various steps identified and described above may bevaried, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particularapplications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations andmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various stepsshould not be understood to require a particular order of execution forthose steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps associatedtherewith, may be realized in hardware, software or any combination ofhardware and software suitable for a particular application. Thehardware may include a general-purpose computer and/or dedicatedcomputing device or specific computing device or particular aspect orcomponent of a specific computing device. The processes may be realizedin one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as a computer executable codecapable of being executed on a machine-readable medium.

The computer executable code may be created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software, or any other machinecapable of executing program instructions.

Thus, in one aspect, methods described above and combinations thereofmay be embodied in computer executable code that, when executing on oneor more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performingthe steps associated with the processes described above may include anyof the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutationsand combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the disclosure has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosureand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

While the foregoing written description enables one of ordinary skill tomake and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof,those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence ofvariations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment,method, and examples herein. The disclosure should therefore not belimited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but byall embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method relating to atomizing diffusion deviceswithin an environment, comprising: receiving at a computer, liquid leveldata from a plurality of remote atomizing diffusion devices wherein eachdiffusion device comprises a communications facility that enablestransmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer andat least one liquid level sensor; based on the liquid level data,creating, via the remote computer, an electronic data structurecharacterizing a transformation of at least one of the remote diffusiondevices, wherein the electronic data structure includes data specifyingat least one of a production of scent fragrance, a procurement of scentfragrance, a management of scent inventory, and a delivery of scentinventory; accessing logistical data comprising at least one oftransportation map data and a route optimization data to produce aservice plan for at least one atomizing diffusion device; and causingthe remote atomizing diffusion devices to implement the transformationin accordance with the service plan.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereincausing includes at least one of scheduling and coordination ofresources to accomplish the transformation.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the atomizing diffusion devices are scent diffusion devices. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid level sensor is an imagingsensor.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the liquid level inside apackage of the diffusion device is exposed through at least one of atransparent wall and a transparent window of the package.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the liquid level sensor includes: 1) a floatingmagnet disposed within a track inside at least one of package of thediffusion device, wherein as a liquid level inside the package changes,the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, and2) at least one of a Hall effect sensor and a Hall effect switchdisposed outside the package at a position to enable sensing theposition of the floating magnet in the track.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the transformation comprises performing a days of supplycalculation.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the calculation involvestaking the measured current liquid level and dividing it by the averageusage rate per day to determine a number of days of supply remaining. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the average usage rate per day is definedfor a time period.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the scheduling andcoordination of resources includes the dispatch of a replenishmenttechnician.
 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the scheduling andcoordination of resources includes the transmission of an alert/email toon-site personnel.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising,measuring a liquid level inside the plurality of remote atomizingdiffusion devices using the liquid level sensor.